BICOM

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded favourably to US President Barack Obama’s speech on Sunday, highlighting Obama’s remarks about Israel’s right to defend itself. “I appreciated the fact that he said Israel must be able to defend itself, by itself, against any threat,” Netanyahu told reporters shortly after the US president’s speech.

“I appreciated the fact that President Obama reiterated his position that Iran must not be allowed to develop nuclear weapons, and that all options are on the table,” Netanyahu added. “I also appreciated the fact that he made clear that when it comes to a nuclear-armed Iran, containment is simply not an option.”

Netanyahu’s comments came less than a day before he is set to address AIPAC himself, where, according to Israeli officials, the PM will make a major policy announcement. Netanyahu will also hold meetings with President Obama today, where the Iranian nuclear issue will be firmly on the agenda.

Also In Washington yesterday, Israel’s President Shimon Peres, who spoke shortly before Obama, praised the President for his policies that have included the imposition of economic and political sanctions on Iran. “President Obama made it clear that the US will not permit Iran to become nuclear,” Peres said, adding that Obama has also made it clear that “all options are on the table”. Peres added that “there is no space” between the US and Israel on Iran policy. “The United States and Israel share the same goal, to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon,” Peres said.