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Source: http://news.yahoo.com/israel-balkan-bloom-despite-palestine-chill-162357265.html
For Israel, a Balkan Bloom
(Reuters) Dan Williams - During a visit to Bucharest on Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu pointed to a growing group of central and east European countries close to the U.S. that were supporting the Israelis in UN and EU forums. "While there is all this talk of Israel being isolated, these countries are deeply eager to develop ties. Their opinion of us is very favorable. They are taking a hard look at their interests and understand that Israel can help advance them." Netanyahu said Balkan states saw in Israel's tensions with Arab neighbors and Iran a reflection of their own past struggles against Soviet supremacy. "They have lived under tyranny, so they are much more skeptical; they are much more respectful of a democracy arrayed against totalitarian forces," he said.