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Last update - 16:30 04/07/2009
Ben Eliezer: U.S. inaction in face of N. Korea, Iran, is troubling
By Haaretz Service
Tags: North Korea, Ben Eliezer 

Trade Minister Benjamin Ben Eliezer voiced harsh criticism on Saturday over America's inaction in the face of what he called North Korea's "blatant provocation" the test-firing of seven missiles off its eastern coast earlier in the day.

Speaking at a cultural event in Ramat Gan Saturday morning, Ben Eliezer also criticized the U.S.'s "appeasement" toward Iran

"As far as I'm concerned, the projections regarding when the Iranian nuclear bomb will be complete don't matter," he said. "For me, the Iranian bomb is already a fact, and the world is still playing a two-faced game with Iran, when in the morning there are resolutions and sanctions against Iran, and at night over 1,000 European companies maintain commercial ties with Iran."
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"[Iranian President Mahmoud] Ahmadinejad recognizes the West's weakness and laughs, because he knows that everyone needs the Iranian oil money," the trade minister continued.

Linking Israel's plight in the face of the Iranian threat to that of the rest of the world, Ben Eliezer said that "Israel mustn't put itself on the front of this battle. We're talking about a threat to Israel, but it is also a threat to the moderate Arab nations and the interests of the U.S. and Europe."

The trade minister stressed, however, that though Israel should not be on the front lines, it will know how to defend itself should the need arise.

Regarding peace talks with the Palestinians, Ben Eliezer said that under no circumstances should Israel agree to a peace deal with the Palestinians of the West Bank alone, excluding Hamas and the Palestinians of the Gaza Strip. "Then we'll have a three-state solution," he explained.

"I say this with the utmost confidence: as soon as the moderate Arab nations, led by Egypt, understand that we are serious and determined, and plan to implement a political move, they will cooperate with us and fully support our moves," Ben Eliezer said.

"An opportunity of shared interest for us, the Americans and the moderate Arab world has arisen in the form of stopping the Iranian nuclear program. We must seize this opportunity to implement a separation from the Palestinians and immediately resume negotiations," the trade minister continued.

"We have been in the occupied territories for 42 years, and things are getting worse from day to day," he went on to say. "We must sit down and reach an agreement."

Reiterating his argument that Israel should release jailed Palestinian leader Marwan Barghouti so that Israel will have "a tough, strong leader with whom we can cut a deal," Ben Eliezer declared that "Israel is one of the strongest nations that I know. We must seek an agreement and not be afraid."

Ben Eliezer praised Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech at Bar Ilan University last month, in which he called for a two-state solution, saying that "we must always remember that it wasn't the left, nor the center, who elected Netanyahu to the premiership. I judge people based on their actions, and if he succeeds in leading a move toward peace, I will bless him for it. As long as the prime minister stays on the track of a grand Arab plan, excluding the right of return, and shows willingness to sit down with the Palestinians as early as tomorrow morning, I will continue to bless him."

On U.S. President Barack Obama, Ben Eliezer said "he's no Bush, and he's no Clinton, but he's certainly no Carter. He sees the world differently, and I say ? maybe this is our chance to overcome our psychological blocks and 'flow' with the moves he is leading. Israel has an understanding with the U.S. ? I can't fathom an Israel without it. A strong Israel is also in America's best interest, but it is not always in its best interest to strengthen the settlements. I look at the bright side ? let's use the U.S.'s pressure to our benefit."

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  1.   so is its inaction in face of continuing occupation 17:12  |  John 04/07/09
  2.   If Israel ran the world... 17:22  |  Natallie Durson 04/07/09
  3.   Arrogant Israeli Politicians 17:26  |  Mark of Lewiston 04/07/09
  4.   zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz 17:47  |  Simon K 04/07/09
  5.   Remember Danish Cartoon! 17:49  |  Fred 04/07/09
  6.   Obama/Clinton policy is not inaction 18:11  |  Christopher 04/07/09
  7.   Ben Eliezer U.S Inaction 18:19  |  proud american 04/07/09
  8.   Lewiston inaction and surrender 18:37  |  Christopher 04/07/09
  9.   US is doomed under Hussein 19:14  |  JP 04/07/09
  10.   Mark of Lewiston 20:38  |  TonyL 04/07/09
  11.   8 Christopher - Typical Boston Fuzzy Headed Liberal 20:40  |  Mark of Lewiston 04/07/09
  12.   Fuad ya aioni - what do you think? 20:43  |  David 04/07/09
  13.   Eliezer 20:53  |  george 04/07/09
  14.   TonyL - Israeli Hostility 21:28  |  Mark of Lewiston 04/07/09
  15.   Lewiston contradicting himself 21:35  |  Christopher 04/07/09
  16.   Better to have honest enemies than dishonest "friends" 22:06  |  Natallie Durson 04/07/09
  17.   16 Enjoy your 4th, Chris 22:15  |  Mark of Lewiston 04/07/09
  18.   Nothing need be done 22:38  |  Mark Lincoln 04/07/09
  19.   We are not `fortifying` Alaska and Hawaii 22:47  |  Mark Lincoln 04/07/09
  20.   #18, Mark Lincoln 22:48  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 04/07/09
  21.   NK and Iran... 22:48  |  ClearCut 04/07/09
  22.   What is so clearcut? 23:20  |  Al 04/07/09
  23.   Israel should stop selling weapons to China 23:29  |  Jim Goldstein 04/07/09
  24.   Mark of Lewiston 23:52  |  TonyL 04/07/09
  25.   # 21 clear-cut coward country 00:05  |  The Teacher/Instruct 05/07/09
  26.   Deeply Concerned Obama 00:21  |  Roscoe 05/07/09
  27.   # 21 Clear-cut coward 00:32  |  The Teacher/Instruct 05/07/09
  28.   YooHoo, Mr Ben Eliezer how about some action on Borders, Borders, 00:37  |  Lou Medel 05/07/09
  29.   #15 Christopher Mark of Lewiston has your number. 01:19  |  Lou Medel 05/07/09
  30.   A refreshing exception from the rule of big-mouthed stupidity 03:53  |  Fortuna Benmayor 05/07/09
  31.   #6 - Christopher 06:42  |  MichaelF 05/07/09
  32.   Cipora I am well aware you do not have a clue 08:03  |  Mark Lincoln 05/07/09
  33.   Israel should stop selling weapons to China 08:25  |  Mark Lincoln 05/07/09
  34.   Cipora, there is either a censor deficit disorder, or 08:49  |  Mark Lincoln 05/07/09
  35.   Illegal Settlements are human shields, Al in Las Vegas 14:59  |  John 05/07/09
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