(Communicated by the Prime Minister’s Media adviser)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, this evening (Saturday, 27 December 2014), made the following remarks at the start of his meeting with US Senator Lindsey Graham:
“We are now faced with two great challenges. The first comes from the Palestinians. The chief Palestinian negotiator, Saeb Erekat, has compared Israel to ISIS. This is the same Palestinian Authority that joins hands with Hamas, incites constantly against Israel, the kind of incitement that has led to an attack that we witnessed just two days ago of a
Molotov cocktail thrown at a little girl, and I commend our security forces for apprehending the terrorists. But the same Palestinian Authority is going to try to bring to the UN Security Council a resolution that seeks to impose on us conditions that will undermine our security. And I want to assure you that we will stand firmly and reject such a dictate. We always have; we always will.
The second great challenge comes from Iran. Iran today conducted an exercise with a suicide drone. I don’t have to convince you Senator that the most important task before us is to prevent this dangerous regime from having nuclear weapons. And I believe that what is required are more sanctions, and stronger sanctions. And I welcome your leadership in this effort. I think this is something that is important for the peace of the world. You know, there are moments in history when nations have to stand firm. Israel stands firm on both sides, and on both issues.”