Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon met with his German counterpart, one of the German cabinet ministers visiting Israel as part of the delegation accompanying Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Ya’alon told German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen that Iran remains Israel’s primary concern today, emphasizing that these concerns are more significant today than ever before. He spoke of the fact that today, Iran is no longer isolated and the relaxation of sanctions is permitting Tehran to continue with its plan. Iranian enrichment continues towards the construction of a nuclear bomb.

Echoing the words of IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Benny Gantz this week during a visit to the Golan Heights, Ya’alon explained Iran’s involvement as the major weapons dealer in the area, involved in the conflict on all of Israel’s borders.

In his remarks regarding stalled talks between Israel and the PA (Palestinian Authority), Ya’alon explained the PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas’ (Abu Mazen) has the talks frozen but Israel remains optimistic, adding “optimism is part of our DNA”.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)