Last update - 02:23 04/03/2008
Israel: Latest Iran sanctions not enough
By Barak Ravid
Jerusalem is disappointed with the latest round of sanctions against Iran passed late last night by the United Nations Security Council, a government source said yesterday. Israel sees them as soft, especially with regard to the list of individuals and institutions on which the sanctions would be imposed.
Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said yesterday that the Security Council's resolution was another essential step expressing the understanding that the international community must not give up and stand idly by in light of Iran's nuclear efforts.
"Any additional decision by any country, member or group, adds more weight to create the mass of sanctions needed to stop Iran, Livni said.
The resolution, passed yesterday, authorizes cargo inspections to and from Iran for prohibited materials, additional monitoring of Iranian financial institutions and the freezing of assets of those involved in its nuclear program.
"If the majority supported it, it only shows it doesn't have enough meat," the source said.
The Foreign Ministry's official response stated that the resolution was passed in recognition of the fact that the international community justifiably has no faith in Iran's declarations that its nuclear program is peaceful.