(Bild-Germany) Interview with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu - "There is a vast misperception of Israel in Germany and in Western European society in general. We are a vibrant democracy faced with Iran and its violent proxies, defending itself against thousands of rockets and Islamist convulsions all around us. It is the only democracy, the only beacon of freedom, of human rights in this region. How many Germans know there are over a million Arab citizens in Israel who enjoy full civic rights? The only Arabs out of hundreds of millions in the Middle East who are guaranteed absolute rule of law by impartial courts." "Israel is maligned day in, day out, and this maligning filters into the public consciousness. That's a general problem. But it is particularly unfortunate with Germany because of the unique relationship and the unique history." "We have never asked for other countries to come and physically defend us. In fact one of the great transformations in the reconstitution of the Jewish state is the regaining by the Jewish people of the ability to defend ourselves by ourselves against any threat. It's a main principle of our security policy. So while I appreciate Germany's concern for Israel's security, the most important assistance that can be given to Israel is - to paraphrase Churchill - to give us the tools and we will do the job of defending ourselves." Bild: "So how important are those German submarines for defending Israel's security?" Netanyahu: "Very important!" "The Iranian nuclear program has not slowed down by one millimeter. Despite all the pressures that were applied to it. Nothing....The Iranians were only asked to stop 20% enrichment of uranium. That doesn't stop their nuclear program in any way. It actually allows them to continue their nuclear program."
2012-06-06 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive