Français
Español
English
Portuguese
British Prime Minister David Cameron, on a visit to Jerusalem and the PA-administered territories, expressed “rock solid commitment” to Israel and support for recognition of the Jewish state as a pre-condition to peace.
The barrage of missiles fired upon Israel on Wednesday coincided with British Prime Minister David Cameron’s visit to the region, where he reportedly hoped to help push forward the peace process, among other goals. The British prime minister declared his unwavering commitment to Israel.
“The IDF is responding forcefully to the firing against the citizens of Israel by the Islamic Jihad in the Gaza Strip,” Netanyahu declared on Wednesday. “If there is no calm in the south, there will be no calm in Gaza, and that’s putting it mildly. I call upon the residents of the south to follow the instructions. The IDF will do the job.”
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas – Israel’s partner in peace negotiations – did not condemn the firing of rockets from Gaza at civilians. The barrage began in the afternoon, when children were walking home from school.
But he did condemn Israel for firing at terrorists.
Touring the Teva pharmaceutical plant in Jerusalem’s Har Hotzvim industrial zone with his British counterpart, Netanyahu pointed out:
“At a time when the Teva plant in Ashdod is producing medicines that will be delivered to Gaza, they are firing rockets from there at innocent Israelis. So how can anybody not condemn the firing of these missiles deliberately at civilians?”
“Well, you’re going see President Abbas soon, only a few minutes away, and unfortunately he didn’t condemn the rocketing of our civilians,” Netanyahu told Cameron. “He condemned the fact that Israel interdicted and hit the three terrorists who fired mortars on us. That he did condemn. And that’s wrong.
“I say we want to move to a genuine peace,” Netanyahu stated. “To move to a genuine peace, we have to be very clear on our condemnation of terror and our support for the right to defend ourselves against terror. That is a crucial component of peace.
“Our policy in the south is clear,” he added. “We will strike at anyone who tries to attack us and will respond very forcefully to any attack. I would like to make it clear that whoever tries to attack our Purim celebrations [beginning Saturday night] – we will hit them strongly.”
CAMERON STATES ROCK SOLID COMMITMENT TO ISRAEL AT KNESSET
Speaking at the Knesset (Israel’s Parliament) before the escalation began, Cameron acknowledged that security is vital for the State of Israel, which “has already seen 38 missiles from Gaza this year alone.”
Expressing a “rock solid” commitment to Israel’s security in his warm address, he supported Netanyahu’s demand that the PA recognize Israel as the nation state of the Jewish people in order to reach an agreement.
Also, “No more excuses for the 32 countries in the United Nations who refuse to recognize Israel,” Cameron declared.
He added that his country does not tolerate anti-Semitism and that “Britain opposes [anti-Israel] boycotts.”
“Whether it’s trade unions campaigning for the exclusion of Israelis or universities trying to stifle academic exchange, Israel’s place as a homeland for the Jewish people will never rest on hollow resolutions passed by amateur politicians,” the British leader asserted.
On Thursday – the second and final day of his visit to Jerusalem and the PA-administered territories – Cameron held a joint press conference with Abbas in Ramallah.
“I have seen serious disagreements over vital issues that will have to be settled it there is ever to be a successful two-state solution and a peace deal,” Cameron said.
Responding to criticism for stating recognition of the Jewish state at the Knesset, he responded:
“That is what Israel is and that is what it will be. Jews were persecuted around the world, including those murdered in the Holocaust, and so the decision was taken that Israel should be the homeland of the Jewish people and this is what it is.”
Author: Atara Beck, Staff Writer, United with Israel
Date: Mar. 13, 2014
Do You Love Israel? Make a Donation - Show Your Support!
Donate to vital charities that help protect Israeli citizens and inspire millions around the world to support Israel too!
Now more than ever, Israel needs your help to fight and win the war -- including on the battlefield of public opinion.
Antisemitism, anti-Israel bias and boycotts are out of control. Israel's enemies are inciting terror and violence against innocent Israelis and Jews around the world. Help us fight back!
