Israel Channel 2 News was granted an exclusive interview in the White House with President Barak Obama a week ahead of his scheduled arrival in Yerushalayim.

Correspondent Yonit Levy was granted the interview which was aired for the first time on Thursday evening’s 8pm news, the eve of 4 Nissan 5773.

The following paraphrasing represents major segments of the interview, but not direct quotes from Mr. Barak Obama.

CHANNEL 2:

This is your first presidential visit. What took you so long to come as president?

PRESIDENT

There was domestic crisis’s and much work to do at home but there continues to be much cooperation between our countries. This trip will permit me to reconnect with the Israeli people.

CHANNEL 2:

What About Iran?

PRESIDENT:

I have been crystal clear. It is not only dangerous for us but the international community. There is a window of opportunity during which we can solve this diplomatically.

CHANNEL 2:

Is that a month/year?

PRESIDENT:

Some is technical and if Iran pursues this, we must know how long it would take. Right now we believe it will take a little over a year but obviously we do not want to cut it too close. We will continue to engage internationally with Iran understanding we have set up the toughest sanctions ever and this has an impact. Iran realizes the cost of the program as a result.

There is a severe cost of Iran continuing on the current path.

I am consulting with Bibi as I have in recent years and my message is not changed. If we can resolve it diplomatically that is a more lasting solution.

CHANNEL 2:

Obviously we want the diplomatic solution but if all else fails will you attack military targets in Iran?

PRESIDENT

When I have stated all options remains on the table, this means all options and US has quite the military capabilities.

Our goal is to make sure Iran will not have a nuclear weapon. One of things you learn as president is that you get a lot of advice but ultimately I must decide. My cabinet is prepared for many contingencies and the cabinet shares my fundamental views and this is a US interest as well as Israel, and we maintain our commitment to Israel’s security.

Iran sees itself as a broader world player than N. Korea ever has.

CHANNEL 2:

Many top Israeli officials feel your administrative has been the most supportive of Israel. However there is a gap. On the one hand you are warm towards us but others feel your attitude to Israel is not what they seek.

PRESIDENT:

There are conservative views both here in the US and Israel that may not jive with mine and when there is an election there was an attempt to paint me as not being really there for Israel. There are people with their political agenda. I won my last election and will be here for the next four years so I don’t spend my time worrying about those with a political agenda but speak to the Israeli people.

The fundamental right of Israel to be secure as a homeland for the Jewish People and its connection to the land is something I feel deep inside myself which I believe is shared by many Americans. I do feel there are times that I have differences with some Israelis as well as some Israelis here in the US regarding the best way to preserve Israel as a democracy during a difficult time period. For example, resolving the Palestinian issue is good for Israel’s security. It is not about unilateral concessions but about that at time their futures will be linked. Obviously Israel cannot resolve it at itself but it cannot stop trying.

CHANNEL 2:

Your relationship with the prime minister has been called strained.

PRESIDENT:

You know I have met with Bibi more than any world leader. We have a very good working business relationship since we are both blunt about out issues and that is how we got so much done. It is true that this is one of those unique times that in the USA we have a center/left government and in Israel not the same makeup and this probably adds a bit of strain, not necessarily between me and the prime minister, but between governments regarding as how we perceive things should be handled.

Israel’s security must be at the forefront along with American support and this is not about who is president and prime minister, it goes deeper than that.

CHANNEL 2:

You were quoted in private meeting saying Israel does not know what is best for itself.

PRESIDENT:

This is the media. Whenever you read the president said something in a private meeting you should take that with a grain of salt. It is fun for political pundits to talk about it. There are times that Bibi and I have disagreed but the differences are about policy, not personal, and these matters eventually get resolved.

CHANNEL 2:

How to move PA peace process forward? How can the deadlock be broken?

PRESIDENT:

It will be difficult now. Israel is setting up a new government. On the PA (Palestinian Authority) side President Abbas and Fayyad appear committed to non-violence but there is Hamas in Gaza and that is difficult and Hamas is not willing to come to the negotiating table and it does not accept the Quartet’s principles.

I do believe it is in the profound interest of the Israelis and Palestinians to get the issues resolved. Israel is concerned with the chaos surrounding it and on the other hand, the Arab Spring, Israel cannot count on a few autocrats in the neighborhood to keep things together and Israel must speak to the street and despite the anti-Israeli sentiment that exists, I believe most want to move ahead in the process.

While I will say to both Bibi and Abu Mazen the only solution is for each side to recognize the legitimate interests of the other. For Abu Mazen to run to the UN to circumvent Israel cannot happen and Bibi should have an interest to strengthen the moderate leadership in the PA so issues like settlements must be viewed through the lense of does it makes it easier or harder for the moderate.

We are past the point of speaking about preconditions and steps. Everyone knows what will be involved in setting up a Palestinian state side-by-side to Israel. How this will work is part of what I will explore when I get there.

CHANNEL 2:

What about the release of Jonathan Pollard? There are more and more people in Israel and ex officials here in USA who feel yes, he was a spy but perhaps it’s time to review his sentence.

PRESIDENT:

He committed a very serious crime in the United States. There is a justice system allowing for periodic review and allow his release. The way that I function here as president is to follow the basic review process regarding his release. I do not plan to release him in the near future.

He like every other American that was sentenced must be accorded the same type of review and equities that he is entitled to. I understand the emotions here. You think about your people wherever you are. As president my first obligation is to observe the law here in the USA and that it is applied properly. There are a lot of prisoners here in the US that committed crimes that would love to be released earlier.

CHANNEL 2:

This is your third visit to Israel. Is there anything you would like to do but will not be able.

PRESIDENT:

I would love to sit at a café and just hang out. The last time I was there as a senator I still had the option of wandering through the old city in Jerusalem. That becomes a lot trickier when you are president. The spontaneous mingling and reactions get a lot more complicated when you are president.

Sometimes I have this fantasy that I can but on a disguise, a mustache wander into Tel Aviv and go to a bar or go to the university and meet with students in a setting that is not as formal.

As the president will try to find as many opportunities as possible to interact with the people during the visit. You tapped into something that shakes me, that as president you can’t just interact with people without a bunch of guys with machineguns around.

CHANNEL 2:

I am sure there are some perks too.

PRESIDENT:

Well, it’s a really nice plane. I look forward to seeing you there.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)