Deputy FM: Israel hoping for diplomatic solution, but will do what needs to be done

Deputy Foreign Minister Zeev Elkin, speaking to Raphael Ahren, says Netanyahu’s “standing alone” comment means Israel is prepared to do the job the world won’t.

Deputy Foreign Minister Ze’ev Elkin (photo credit: AP/Dan Balilty)

“That means two very simple things: one, that the State of Israel will not agree for Iran to have a nuclear weapon. It prefers that this problem will be solved through diplomatic means by international community. But if there will be no choice, and the world doesn’t do its work, then Israel will have to do the job. Secondly, the prime minister said that for the diplomacy to work, one has to continue two conditions the pressure will stay strong and that the sanctions wont be reduced, because it works.”

“Secondly, there needs to be a real military threat, aside from the diplomatic option,” he continues. “Just as it worked for Syria, so it could perhaps work for Iran. If the world doesn’t place the military option clearly enough before the Iranians, then it is possible that the State of Israel will be the one doing it. That’s was what the prime minister did today during his speech.”

He adds that solving the crisis through diplomatic means is done “not through smiles and by easing the pressure. Rather, the only way that works is a strengthening and the of a real military threat.”