Barak with Jones (Archive)
Photo: Ariel Hermoni, Defense Ministry
Barak shrugs off freeze issue
Israel, Palestinians have more dramatic decisions to make, Barak tells Gen. Jim Jones in Washington
Defense Minister Ehud Barak met with National Security Adviser General Jim Jones in Washington Monday, and discussed with him the peace negotiations with the Palestinians as well as the possible renewal of construction in West Bank settlements.
Barak told his host that "the decisions that lie before Israel and the Palestinians are important ones, far more dramatic than the continuation of construction in Judea and Samaria".
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Barak's office said Jones stressed the importance of achieving a permanent settlement with the Palestinians following the "recent attacks carried out by terror agents" trying to prevent a peace agreement.
The defense minister also met with additional White House officials and discussed with them the transfer of weapons from Iran to Hezbollah. He expressed concern over a recent arms deal between Russia and Syria, and especially the possibility that the missiles acquired by the latter could reach Hezbollah.
He asked Jones to support additional sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program. "Iran continues to deceive the world community and continues to move forward with its military nuclear program despite sanctions. There is no doubt that the sanctions are hurting Iran, but Iran continues to play for time," Barak said. "I reiterate that for Israel, all options must remain on the table.
Meanwhile, not far away, President Shimon Peres was speaking at the UN General Assembly, a speech during which Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was seen walking out of.
"The other day, the formal leader of Iran called to annihilate Israel and wipe it off the map of the Middle East," Peres said. "I believe that the Middle East has room for every person, every nation, and every religion."
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