Here, in its entirety, is Benjamin Netanyahu\’s just-issued statement regarding current US-Israel relations and his scheduled address to a joint session of congress:
First,on behalf of the people of Israel, I wish to send condolences toPresident Obama, the American people and the family of Kayla Mueller.We stand with you.
Israel\’ssurvival is not a partisan issue, not in Israel nor in the UnitedStates.
Thisdoesn\’t mean that from time to time Israeli governments have nothad serious disagreements with American administrations over the bestway to achieve the security of Israel.
Israel\’sfirst Prime Minister, David Ben-Gurion, declared Israel\’sindependence in the face of strong opposition from US Secretary ofState George Marshall. Likewise, Prime Minister Eshkol\’s decisionsat the start of the Six Day War, Prime Minister Begin\’s decisionregarding the nuclear reactor in Iraq, and Prime Minister Sharon\’sdecisions to press ahead with Operation Defensive Shield; these wereall strongly opposed at the time by American administrations.
Disagreementsover Israel\’s security have occurred between prime ministers inIsrael from the left and from the right and American presidents fromboth parties.
Noneof these disagreements led to a rupture in the relationship betweenIsrael and the United States.
Infact, over time, our relationship grew stronger.
Butwe do have today a profound disagreement with the United Statesadministration and the rest of the P5+1 over the offer that has beenmade to Iran.
Thisoffer would enable Iran to threaten Israel\’s survival.
Thisis a regime, Iran, that is openly committed to Israel\’sdestruction. It would be able, under this deal, to break out to anuclear weapon in a short time, and within a few years, to have theindustrial capability to produce many nuclear bombs for the goal ofour destruction.
Thisis not a personal disagreement between President Obama and me. Ideeply appreciate all that he has done for Israel in many fields.Equally, I know that the President appreciates my responsibility, myforemost responsibility, to protect and defend the security ofIsrael.
Iam going to the United States not because I seek a confrontation withthe President, but because I must fulfil my obligation to speak up ona matter that affects the very survival of my country.
Iintend to speak about this issue before the March 24th deadline and Iintend to speak in the US Congress because Congress might have animportant role on a nuclear deal with Iran.
Thankyou.
There it is.
Does it make sense? More or less sense than the Obama administration is making?
You decide.
