In 1st speech, Foreign Minister Cohen hails US, EU ties, vows to ‘talk less’ on Ukraine

In his inaugural speech to Foreign Ministry staff, Foreign Minister Eli Cohen says that Israel’s relationship with the US “stands at the top of our priorities.”

“There is no replacement for Israel-US ties,” he says. “This is a long-term strategic partnership based first and foremost on shared values and on interests that we share.”

He is scheduled to speak with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken after the Foreign Ministry welcoming ceremony.

Cohen also says Israel is a key partner for Europe, and has an opportunity to deepen its ties with the EU.

He is slated to speak with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov tomorrow.

He then addresses the Abraham Accords, announcing that the next meeting of the Negev Forum will take place in March in Morocco.

“The expansion of the Abraham Accords is not a question of if, but when,” he says.

Regarding Ukraine, Cohen only says that this government will talk less and will continue humanitarian aid.

Cohen addresses the Iran nuclear threat, saying that Israel will focus on expanding its military capabilities while creating an international front united against Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.

“The countries of the world must stop burying their head in the sand,” he declares.

The foreign minister blasts the Palestinians for pursuing their goals in international forums like the International Court of Justice in The Hague: “The ones who should be brought to justice are the Palestinian leadership, which is the only place in the world that gives incentives to murder Jews because they are Jews.”

He calls on the international community to send a clear message to the Palestinian leadership: “Enough incitement in educational institutions and funding the murderers of Jews.”