US Secretary of State Clinton visits Israel
Israeli President Shimon Peres met with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton on Monday in Jerusalem, engaging in a wide-ranging discussion about Iran's pursuit of a nuclear weapon, the Palestinian peace process, the Syrian uprising and the latest developments in Egypt.
The two spent ample time discussing the Iranian nuclear threat, while Secretary Clinton stressed that President Barack Obama is committed to building and maintaining a wide coalition to deny Iran the ability to acquire nuclear weapons. Secretary Clinton asserted that much had been done and warned that the economic sanctions will continue to become harsher. President Peres thanked President Obama and Secretary Clinton for their handling "of the most complicated issue and the most dangerous issue of our time, Iran. There is an agreement that Iran, not the people but the government, armed with nuclear bombs and a policy of terror is a danger to everyone; to Europeans, to Asians to Arabs and to Jews."
The steps which have already been taken "are beginning to have an impact and they are the right start as is the way you made the Iranians understand that this is a beginning and better not to have a continuation, but that there is a continuation keeping all the options on the table," President Peres continued. "We very much appreciate your position, we trust its depth, dedication and determination and we feel partners to it. I hope it won't be long before Iran will return to her culture and to her tradition and be a free nation among free nations."
Secretary Clinton's visit to Israel immediately follows a stop in Cairo, during which she met with newly elected Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi. Secretary Clinton and President Peres mutually recognized the importance of strengthening the relations between Israel and Egypt and bolstering the three and a half decade-long peace treaty between the two countries.
"Egypt is a key country in the Middle East and much depends upon Egypt, and a little bit upon us as well, to continue the great march of peace for the benefit of all people in the Middle East," President Peres said.
Secretary Clinton and President Peres acknowledged the untenable human rights abuses by the Assad regime in Syria, as Peres said that the systematic Syrian violence "touches us all as human beings more than as politicians or diplomats." He asserted that "it is beyond the acceptable norms in humanity. I appreciate the fact that the Arab League stood up against it clearly and loudly. As an Israeli I would like to see the children in Syria be safe, not being assassinated by their dictator."
President Peres emphasized to Secretary Clinton that the time has come for the Arab League to prove their ability by taking concrete steps, "The Arab League has all the military and diplomatic ability to enter Syria with a UN Security Council mandate, to bring an end to the bloodshed and bring about a democratic transition during which the Syrian people will be able to vote for a new leadership."
President Peres expressed Israeli readiness to resume peace negotiations with the Palestinians, supporting countless previous statements by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He said, "I believe that while confronting the Iranian challenge we shouldn't ignore the chances for peace, foremost with the Palestinians. We went a long way and I hope now it will be shorter, it takes time. We should not give up hope, we should not stop, we should be consistent, we should be determined. The Palestinians don't have a better alternative; we don't have a better alternative. We agreed on many issues now we have to try and conclude it peacefully for the benefit of all people and I think it will have a positive impact on all the other efforts we are facing."
Additionally, President Peres praised Secretary Clinton's diplomatic contributions in statements after the meeting, specifically noting her efforts towards Middle Eastern peace.
"You are trying to bring stabilization to a destabilized world," he said. "In all my years in diplomacy, and I must admit that I am not the youngest man here; your diplomacy is a precedent and an inspirational way by making it a diplomacy of values not just of interest or relations. So I want to thank you very much for the great efforts you have invested in trying to bring peace between us and our neighbors, strengthening the existing peace treaties and guaranteeing their future."
Secretary Clinton emphatically praised the enduring relationship between the United States and Israel, and noted its urgency in a time of regional transformation.
"I am delighted once again to be here with you and to have the opportunity to discuss the issues you've laid out in detail. I always benefit from your advice and counsel and I have once again today. I am here at a moment of great change and transformation in the region. It is a time of uncertainty but also of opportunity."
She continued, "It is a chance to advance our shared goals of security, stability, peace and democracy along with prosperity for the millions of people in this region who have yet to see a better future. And it is in moments like these that friends like us have to think together, act together. We are called to be smart, creative and courageous."
"We were so honored to have you in the White House last month," Secretary Clinton continued. "As President Obama said when he awarded Shimon the Presidential Medal of Freedom, 'No individual has done so much over so many years to build the alliance between our two countries; to bring not just our governments, but our people closer together. Few people know better than Shimon the inextricable link between security and peace and all that they require."
Secretary Clinton ended by wishing President Peres a happy birthday: "I know I am early but that means I can be the first friend to wish you a very happy birthday. To say with such great gratitude how much I appreciate you, our friendship, the work we have done together and the work that we will do together in the future."
The two spent ample time discussing the Iranian nuclear threat, while Secretary Clinton stressed that President Barack Obama is committed to building and maintaining a wide coalition to deny Iran the ability to acquire nuclear weapons. Secretary Clinton asserted that much had been done and warned that the economic sanctions will continue to become harsher. President Peres thanked President Obama and Secretary Clinton for their handling "of the most complicated issue and the most dangerous issue of our time, Iran. There is an agreement that Iran, not the people but the government, armed with nuclear bombs and a policy of terror is a danger to everyone; to Europeans, to Asians to Arabs and to Jews."
The steps which have already been taken "are beginning to have an impact and they are the right start as is the way you made the Iranians understand that this is a beginning and better not to have a continuation, but that there is a continuation keeping all the options on the table," President Peres continued. "We very much appreciate your position, we trust its depth, dedication and determination and we feel partners to it. I hope it won't be long before Iran will return to her culture and to her tradition and be a free nation among free nations."
Secretary Clinton's visit to Israel immediately follows a stop in Cairo, during which she met with newly elected Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi. Secretary Clinton and President Peres mutually recognized the importance of strengthening the relations between Israel and Egypt and bolstering the three and a half decade-long peace treaty between the two countries.
"Egypt is a key country in the Middle East and much depends upon Egypt, and a little bit upon us as well, to continue the great march of peace for the benefit of all people in the Middle East," President Peres said.
Secretary Clinton and President Peres acknowledged the untenable human rights abuses by the Assad regime in Syria, as Peres said that the systematic Syrian violence "touches us all as human beings more than as politicians or diplomats." He asserted that "it is beyond the acceptable norms in humanity. I appreciate the fact that the Arab League stood up against it clearly and loudly. As an Israeli I would like to see the children in Syria be safe, not being assassinated by their dictator."
President Peres emphasized to Secretary Clinton that the time has come for the Arab League to prove their ability by taking concrete steps, "The Arab League has all the military and diplomatic ability to enter Syria with a UN Security Council mandate, to bring an end to the bloodshed and bring about a democratic transition during which the Syrian people will be able to vote for a new leadership."
President Peres expressed Israeli readiness to resume peace negotiations with the Palestinians, supporting countless previous statements by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He said, "I believe that while confronting the Iranian challenge we shouldn't ignore the chances for peace, foremost with the Palestinians. We went a long way and I hope now it will be shorter, it takes time. We should not give up hope, we should not stop, we should be consistent, we should be determined. The Palestinians don't have a better alternative; we don't have a better alternative. We agreed on many issues now we have to try and conclude it peacefully for the benefit of all people and I think it will have a positive impact on all the other efforts we are facing."
Additionally, President Peres praised Secretary Clinton's diplomatic contributions in statements after the meeting, specifically noting her efforts towards Middle Eastern peace.
"You are trying to bring stabilization to a destabilized world," he said. "In all my years in diplomacy, and I must admit that I am not the youngest man here; your diplomacy is a precedent and an inspirational way by making it a diplomacy of values not just of interest or relations. So I want to thank you very much for the great efforts you have invested in trying to bring peace between us and our neighbors, strengthening the existing peace treaties and guaranteeing their future."
Secretary Clinton emphatically praised the enduring relationship between the United States and Israel, and noted its urgency in a time of regional transformation.
"I am delighted once again to be here with you and to have the opportunity to discuss the issues you've laid out in detail. I always benefit from your advice and counsel and I have once again today. I am here at a moment of great change and transformation in the region. It is a time of uncertainty but also of opportunity."
She continued, "It is a chance to advance our shared goals of security, stability, peace and democracy along with prosperity for the millions of people in this region who have yet to see a better future. And it is in moments like these that friends like us have to think together, act together. We are called to be smart, creative and courageous."
"We were so honored to have you in the White House last month," Secretary Clinton continued. "As President Obama said when he awarded Shimon the Presidential Medal of Freedom, 'No individual has done so much over so many years to build the alliance between our two countries; to bring not just our governments, but our people closer together. Few people know better than Shimon the inextricable link between security and peace and all that they require."
Secretary Clinton ended by wishing President Peres a happy birthday: "I know I am early but that means I can be the first friend to wish you a very happy birthday. To say with such great gratitude how much I appreciate you, our friendship, the work we have done together and the work that we will do together in the future."