WASHINGTON: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned world powers yesterday not to allow Iran to retain the ability to enrich uranium, and urged Palestinians to recognise Israel as a Jewish state if they wanted peace.
Addressing the pro-Israel lobby AIPAC in Washington after White House talks on Monday, Netanyahu broke no new ground on Middle East issues that have at times strained his government’s ties with the US administration.
Netanyahu reiterated his opposition to the possibility that a deal to curb Iran’s disputed nuclear programme would allow it to retain some technologies that have bomb-making potential.
All of these must be dismantled, Netanyahu said, adding that diplomatic pressure on Tehran should be increased - the reverse of easing of sanctions offered under an interim accord with the United States and five other world powers in November.
“Unfortunately the leading powers of the world are talking about leaving Iran with the capability to enrich uranium. I hope they don’t do that, because that would be a grave error. It would leave Iran as a threshold nuclear power,” he said. Iran denies seeking nuclear weapons. Israel, which unlike Iran has not signed the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, is widely believed to have the region’s sole atomic arsenal.
Turning to the Palestinians, with whom Israel renewed peace talks last July under US auspices, Netanyahu said he wanted an accord. However, he placed the onus on the Palestinians to recognise Israel as a Jewish state - something they have long balked at. “But it’s time the Palestinians stop denying history. Just as Israel is prepared to recognise a Palestinian state, the Palestinians must be prepared to recognise a Jewish state,” Netanyahu said. Reuters
