Netanyahu Lauds Close Security Cooperation with U.S.

David Streeter — November 11, 2010 – 11:26 am | Barack Obama | Election 2010 | Foreign Policy | Israel | Military Comments (0) Add a comment

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared on Fox Business Channel this week and lauded the ever-increasing security cooperation between the United States and Israel. Netanyahu said:

I think there is fundamental misunderstanding about the close nature between Israel and the United States. It is so close and it’s something that is mirrored by all leaders and by all governments, whether in the United States or in Israel. I mean, it’s very powerful. It is a powerful bond and President Obama has expressed it more than once. We have had security cooperation in the last year that people don’t know about but I think has surpassed all previous levels.

We have, I think, an understanding of the danger of the Iranian threat. And I was very pleased to hear that the president has said that he is determined to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. I think that’s a very important statement.

Netanyahu also spoke about the current and incoming congresses:

[T]he outgoing Congress was friendly to Israel. The incoming Congress is friendly to Israel. I think basically that’s a constant in the relationship between Israel and the United States. We’re dealing with a government and I’m dealing with a president, I hope that we can get peace talks back on track. And that the crucial thing to me is - the only way you’re going to conclude a successful peace negotiation is if you actually engage in it.

Netanyahu’s comments coincide with news that the United States will store another $400 million worth of military equipment in Israel. According to Haaretz, Israel will have access to the stockpile during an emergency. Haaretz also estimated that by 2012, the value of U.S. military equipment stored in Israel will reach approximately $1.2 billion.

Video of Netanyahu’s interview is available here.

 

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