Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu begins a whirlwind diplomatic tour of Europe later today when he lands in Germany to tackle what he says are two keys issues: “Iran and Iran.”
“I am now leaving on an important visit to Europe. I will meet with three leaders and I will raise two issues there: Iran and Iran,” Mr Netahyanu said in a tarmc interview ahead of his departure.
Israel has been a leading critic of the flawed international nuclear deal with Iran brokered by former U.S. President Barack Obama, and is on the record saying Iran should be given no space to establish a permanent military presence in Syria.
“First of all, there is the need to continue the pressure on Iran against its nuclear program,” Mr. Netanyahu continued. “I believe that this pressure should be increased. It could be that there is not full agreement on this at the moment, but in my opinion, such an understanding will take shape.
“The second issue is blocking Iran’s aggression in the region, especially its attempts to establish a military presence against us in Syria and attack us from there. On this issue I hope to form an agreed-upon policy.”
As Breitbart Jerusalem reported, Mr. Netanyahu is traveling with his wife Sara to Berlin, where he will hold talks with Chancellor Angela Merkel. He will then go to Paris to meet French President Emmanuel Macron. He is scheduled to return to Israel late on Thursday after a UK stopover.
Germany, France and Britain are three of the signatories of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) between world powers and Iran, aimed at keeping Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
The Israeli leader’s last visit to London came in November when he and Mrs. May spoke of their shared pride in the establishment of the Jewish State of Israel at the Balfour Centenary Dinner.
Mr. Netanyahu’s European tour follows Israel’s recent plea for the European Union to cease funding dozens of European and Palestinian non-governmental organizations that drive boycotts against Israel.
Israel’s Strategic Affairs Ministry made the plea last month when it published a 40-page report with a list of groups it says receives EU funding and call for boycotts against Israel.
Ultimately Mr. Netanyahu is keen to maintain links with key allies in Europe and keep diplomatic doors open.
“These are meetings with three very important leaders in Europe,” he said. “I think that it is a good thing that I have a very personal, close and very good connection with them. This is important for the State of Israel.”
Mr. Netanyahu will also mark 70 years of friendly relations between Israel and France in what he calls “very many areas – culture, trade, tourism and – of course – innovation. For this we will have a special event with President Macron.”
Follow Simon Kent on Twitter: Follow @SunSimonKent or e-mail to: skent@breitbart.com
COMMENTS
Please let us know if you're having issues with commenting.