Benjamin Netanyahu’s Sharp Criticism of Islamic Republic at AIPAC; Praise for Iranian People

Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel who traveled to Washington, the capital of the United States, began his speech on Tuesday morning at the annual meeting of the “American Israel Public Affairs Committee” known as “AIPAC”.

The Israeli Prime Minister in part of his remarks characterized Iran as the cause of all bad things that happen to Israel and said: What should we do about Iran? Many of the bad things that happen against Israel are because of the role of the Islamic Republic of Iran. We must stop Iran. We will stop this terrorism-supporting regime.

He added: In my previous speech I warned that Iran is a lying system to the international community and this regime should not be trusted. I had warned that with the lifting of sanctions, the Islamic Republic of Iran would not calm down but this rebellious regime would become more rebellious. Now what do you see? Has Iran become calmer or more rebellious?

Mr. Netanyahu, while showing a map in which Iran, Iraq, Yemen, Syria and the Gaza Strip were colored black, said the Islamic Republic of Iran is seeking to create its own empire toward the Mediterranean by building a bridge from Tehran to Lebanon and Damascus. They are building bases in neighboring countries to attack us.

He added: I will not allow Iran to use Syria and Lebanon to attack us and I will do whatever is necessary. We will never allow Iran, not now and not ten years from now, to acquire nuclear weapons. I thank President Trump for making it clear that Iran will not be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons.

After sharp criticism of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Israeli Prime Minister praised the Iranian people. He said we support those Iranians who are supporters of freedom. We hope for a day when this dark regime falls and the Iranian and Israeli people live together in peace and friendship.

The Israeli Prime Minister in part of his speech referred to the progress of this country and said Israel is one of the world’s leaders in cybersecurity. By publishing a map, he said when thirty years ago he was just becoming active in the field of diplomacy, eighty countries had relations with Israel but now more than 160 countries are in contact with us.

In Mr. Netanyahu’s map, Iran and Saudi Arabia were among the red countries that have no relations with Israel.

In this speech, Mr. Netanyahu, by displaying an aircraft in which a bomb was recently discovered, said Israeli military and intelligence organizations in recent years have neutralized dozens of operations and terrorist threats. He thanked the Israeli army and also appreciated Israeli veterans present in the AIPAC hall.

Monday Meeting with President Trump

The Israeli Prime Minister on Monday in a meeting with President Trump called Iran the biggest challenge in the Middle East.

Donald Trump, President of the United States, along with the First Lady on Monday, March 5 (equivalent to 1936 in the Islamic calendar), welcomed Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel, and his wife at the White House.

The leaders of the two countries then held a brief meeting with reporters, and in addition to Iran, discussed some other issues including Middle East peace.

The President of the United States described US-Israeli relations as very warm and spoke about the plan to build the US embassy in Jerusalem.

He said: We have very close relations in commercial affairs and in the military field and fighting terrorism we also have very very close relations and cooperation; I say probably US-Israeli relations have never been better than at this time.

Benjamin Netanyahu, while appreciating the support of the President of the United States for Israel and praising his approach toward Iran and the United Nations, compared the recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel by the President of the United States to ending the exile of Jews in Babylon by Cyrus the Great, King of Iran, and the Balfour Declaration and the recognition of the State of Israel by Harry Truman in 1948, and added: “The biggest challenge in the Middle East is Iran and it must be stopped.”

He said: “The biggest challenge in the Middle East and against both our country and the Arab countries of the region can be summed up in one word; Iran. Iran has not abandoned its nuclear ambitions and has come out of the nuclear agreement wealthier and more defiant and continues its aggression everywhere including at Israel’s borders. In my view, Iran must be stopped.”

It is expected that President Trump and the Israeli Prime Minister will continue to negotiate regarding the American deadline to European powers on fixing the shortcomings of the nuclear agreement with Iran.

The President of the United States previously announced that if the United States and European countries cannot reach an agreement on fixing the JCPOA shortcomings, Washington will withdraw from the agreement.

American officials also expect to bring up the issue of a peace agreement with the Palestinians, which the Trump administration still hopes to advance, with the Israeli Prime Minister.

Source: Voice of America