Subscribe to Print Edition | Mon., May 11, 2009 Iyyar 17, 5769 | | Israel Time: 02:09 (EST+7)
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PM insists Israel will never leave the Golan
By Barak Ravid

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told a group of Russian-language reporters Thursday that Israel will never withdraw from the Golan Heights.

"Remaining on the Golan will ensure Israel has a strategic advantage in cases of military conflict with Syria," Netanyahu said during a briefing he gave to the reporters.
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His comments were published Friday on several Russian-language Israeli Web sites.

A week-and-a-half before Netanyahu's scheduled visit to Washington, the prime minister stressed that he is ready to stand up to U.S. President Barack Obama, and would not give up on matters that in his opinion are crucial for Israel's security.

Peace obstacle

Netanyahu said he intends to emphasize to Obama the need to deal with Iran and its "nuclear program, which is a major obstacle to peace in the Middle East. If Iran turns into a nuclear power they will force all Arab states to ally with it, and the extreme Iranian regime that revealed its plan to eliminate Israel will not allow Arab states to normalize relations with Israel," Netanyahu said.

The prime minister also told the reporters that he would not present preconditions for negotiations with the Palestinians, and would not accept preconditions from them.

He said relations with Russia are important, but called the Russian supply of weapons to Iran a mistake.
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