President Shimon Peres on Thursday night, delivered remarks at the David Ben-Gurion Prize award ceremony and addressed the tension between Israel and the USA.

President Peres said, “Our relationship with the USA is fundamental, not simple, not to be taken for granted. The relations between us have a deep history, President Truman recognized Israel 11 minutes after the declaration of independence. The support of the United States for Israel is unique. We are fortunate that America was, and remains, our friend and ally.

“There has not been an Israeli request which the Obama administration has not responded to, including casting a veto over the UN Security Council resolution on settlements despite the fact that the US does not consider the settlements legal. Nearly all our security requests were responded to positively.

“My friends, we must not underestimate the importance of this friendship. There can be disagreements, but they must be conducted with a view to the true depth of the situation. If we have disagreements we should voice them but we should remember that the Americans also know a thing or two, we are not the only ones.”

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)