3/5/2012
Obama urges diplomacy, Netanyahu says Israel may act unilaterally on Iran nuclear issue
Washington, US officials believe there is still a window that allows for a diplomatic resolution to the Iranian nuclear issue, President Barack Obama said on Monday during a joint appearance in the Oval Office with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, while Netanyahu noted that Israel has the right to make its own decisions to protect the security of Israel.
It is unacceptable from Israel's perspective for Iran, which has called for the destruction of Israel, to have a nuclear weapon, and it also is in the US interest to prevent such a development, Obama said.
"We do not want to see a nuclear arms race in one of the most volatile regions in the world," Obama said in remarks prior to the two leaders holding a private meeting at the White House. "We do not want the possibility of a nuclear weapon falling into the hands of terrorists, and we do not want a regime that has been a state sponsor of terrorism being able to feel that it can act even more aggressively or with impunity as a consequence of its nuclear power." That is why US officials have worked diligently to set up the most crippling sanctions ever with respect to Iran, the President said.
Ultimately, the Iranian regime must decide whether to move toward abandoning pursuit of a nuclear weapon, "a decision that they have not made thus far," Obama said.
Even as US officials continue on the diplomatic front and continue to tighten pressure on Iran via sanctions, Obama said he reserved "all options" in dealing with Iran over its nuclear program development.
"My policy here is not going to be one of containment," he said. "My policy is prevention of Iran obtaining nuclear weapons, and ... when I say all options are on the table, I mean it." The President said he and Netanyahu both prefer to resolve the issue diplomatically.
"We understand the costs of any military action, and I want to assure both the American people and the Israeli people that we are in constant and close consultation," Obama said.
With rumors rife that Israel is moving closer to launching its own military strike on Iranian nuclear facilities, Netanyahu did little to quell such speculation with his remarks.
"Israel must have the ability always to defend itself, by itself, against any threat, and when it comes to Israel's security, Israel has the right -- the sovereign right -- to make its own decisions," Netanyahu said.
Looking at Obama, Netanyahu said that for Iran, "you are the great Satan, we are the little Satan. For them, we are you, and you are us.
"And you know something, Mr. President? At least on this last point, I think they are right: We are you, and you are us. We are together. So if there is one thing that stands out clearly in the Middle East today, it is that Israel and America stand together." Obama said his visit with Netanyahu comes at a critical time.
"We are seeing incredible changes that are taking place in the Middle East and in North Africa," the President said. "We have seen the terrible bloodshed that is going on in Syria, the democratic transition that has taken place in Egypt. And in the midst of this, we have an island of democracy and one of our greatest allies in Israel." The US-Israeli relationship is "rock solid," Obama said, adding, "the United States will always have Israel's back when it comes to Israel's security."
Although the Palestinian statehood issue has not been a top priority for Netanyahu, Obama said the two leaders would discuss "how we can potentially bring about a calmer set of discussions between the Israelis and the Palestinians and arrive at a peaceful resolution to that long-standing conflict. It is a very difficult thing to do in light of the context right now, but I know that the prime minister remains committed to trying to achieve that."
Meanwhile, 18 members of the Jewish Voice for Peace Rabbinical Council issued a statement on Monday saying that the council was "deeply concerned" about reports that Netanyahu would demand of Obama during their meeting "that either the United States attack Iran, or else Israel will." "We do not welcome the prospect of a nuclear-armed Iran," the statement said. "We call on all the military forces in the region, including Israel's, to divest themselves of their nuclear armaments and renounce any belligerent nuclear aspirations. The State of Israel refuses to acknowledge its own nuclear arsenal or to submit to international monitoring. We believe it is hypocritical of Israel to demand of Iran what it refuses to agree to itself."
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