Freedom lovers will bring prosperity to Middle East, Netanyahu says
In possible nod to Egypt, prime minister says region experiencing turbulence but can be steered by correct leadership; praises Kerry’s peace push
Addressing what he called “great turbulence” in the Middle East, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said if the right people rise to power the region could see peace and prosperity.
His statements, made at a US Independence Day celebration at the US ambassador’s residence in Herzliya, may have been a veiled reference to Egypt, where the country’s military overthrew the Islamist president on Wednesday.
“In the Middle East today, there are many people who seek liberty, and they are our natural peace partners and provide hope that the great turbulence that is rocking the Middle East… will hopefully result in a bright future for all people in the region,” Netanyahu said. “It won’t happen overnight, but if it does, prosperity and peace will be provided for all.”
Netanyahu spoke along with President Shimon Peres and US Ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro, who hosted the event.
Netanyahu praised Shapiro as an “excellent ambassador” who understands Israel and has “absolutely fantastic” Hebrew.
“It is a deeply meaningful pleasure to celebrate America’s Independence Day,” Netanyahu said, adding that although “July 4th is first and foremost an American holiday, “it is a celebration of freedom and democracy celebrated around the world, “values we deeply share here in Israel.”
Israel is “an island of democracy in a sea of instability and despotism,” the prime minister said, adding that Israel “will always remain America’s steadfast ally” because of the “powerful bond between us…our deepest values are identical to those of the United States.”
The prime minister also praised US Secretary of State John Kerry’s “tireless” efforts to promote the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. “Israel hopes those efforts will succeed,” Netanyahu said. “We present no obstacles whatsoever to direct negotiations, and we hope the Palestinians will join us in an effort to secure lasting peace between our two peoples.”
On Thursday, Palestinian officials said they believed Kerry was close to striking a deal to bring the two sides to the table, after five years of nearly frozen negotiations. Kerry has made five trips to the region since taking office in February, in intensive efforts at shuttle diplomacy to jump-start the stagnant peace process, the last in late June.
Peres also touted Kerry’s efforts, which he called “critical.” He said that the two-state solution was accepted by both peoples and the only way forward.
“The two state solution is accepted by the majority of the two peoples…there is no realistic peaceful alternative to the two-state solution,” he said.
America’s global leadership is “essential” in preventing Iran from achieving nuclear weapons capability, Peres continued. “We cannot allow for a regime driven by hegemonic ambitions to tear apart our region and its people,” he said.
Peres said America echoes “the call of the Bible,” as the Pilgrims on the Mayflower and the founding fathers of the American Constitution “carried the vision of the prophets,” and the “same spirit guided the founders of the State of Israel.”
This has led to “our special bond…based on human dignity, on peace among nations,” the president continued, noting that “the defense and strategic relations between Israel and the USA have reached an unprecedented peak.”
The Times of Israel Community.