(New York Times) Patrick Kingsley and Isabel Kershner - Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said in an interview that in his first meeting with President Biden on Thursday, he would seek common ground on Iran and promised a new and constructive approach to containing Iran's nuclear program. Bennett said a new strategic vision on Iran would include strengthening ties with Arab countries opposed to Iran's regional influence and nuclear ambitions, taking diplomatic and economic action against Iran, and continuing Israel's clandestine attacks on Iran in what he called "the gray-area stuff." "What we need to do, and what we are doing, is forming a regional coalition of reasonable Arab countries, together with us, that will fend off and block this expansion and this desire for domination" by Iran. "We are the precise anchor of stability, of willingness to do the job to keep this area safer." With regard to the Palestinians, Bennett said, "This government will neither annex nor form a Palestinian state." The blockade of Gaza will remain as long as Hamas continues to arm itself and fire rockets at Israel. With regard to existing Jewish communities in the West Bank, "Israel will continue the standard policy of natural growth."
2021-08-26 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive