(VIDEOS & PHOTOS IN EXTENDED ARTICLE)

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Wednesday, 8 Shevat, met with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, French Prime Minister Emmanuel Macron, Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel and Swiss President Alain Berset at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

Prime Minister Netanyahu discussed the nuclear agreement with Iran and called on the leaders to utilize the opportunity that has been created in the wake of US President Donald Trump’s declaration. He noted that he will not allow Iran to establish a military presence in Syria and added that Israel is working to prevent this.

On the Palestinian issue, Prime Minister Netanyahu said that he will not compromise on Israel’s security needs in any future agreement.

The Prime Minister presented the changes that are taking place in the Middle East and the opportunities that have been created. He expressed the desire to deepen economic and technological cooperation with Canada, Belgium and Switzerland.

Prime Minister Netanyahu and Swiss President Berset agreed to work toward creating new tracks for bilateral economic cooperation.

PM Netanyahu and Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau discussed updating the free trade agreement and agreed to expedite contacts on the issue.

Mr. Netanyahu invited the three leaders to visit Israel.

Following the meeting with Chancellor Merkel, the Prime Minister said:

“It was an important meeting. Of course we discussed the nuclear agreement with Iran. I said that in my view the only existing option at the moment is to put in real – not cosmetic – changes that will prevent Iran from going nuclear which would otherwise be assured by the agreement as it stands.

I also expressed my appreciation for Chancellor Merkel’s genuine commitment to the security of Israel. She said that she understands our concerns regarding the nuclear agreement even though she does not necessarily agree with the way in which we want to deal with it. To this end the Europeans will hold discussions among themselves, and with the US, but she understands that this touches on our concerns, the things that could threaten our very existence. She has proven this commitment in the past at various opportunities. I am satisfied that our positions have been well-understood.”

PM Netanyahu, after meeting German Chancellor Merkel:
It was an important meeting. We discussed the nuclear deal with Iran. In my view the only existing option is to put in real changes to prevent Iran from going nuclear which would otherwise be assured by the deal as it stands. pic.twitter.com/3gYHVLD4r4

— PM of Israel (@IsraeliPM) January 24, 2018

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met today in Davos with French President Emanuel Macron and told him, "The partnership between us is also important for the security of Europe."

The two discussed at length the need to stand against Iran's regional aggression. pic.twitter.com/vKM3vYsvmN

— PM of Israel (@IsraeliPM) January 24, 2018

Prime Minister Netanyahu expressed his view that the nuclear agreement cannot be left as is since it would – within several years – lead to Iran's going nuclear with an arsenal of nuclear weapons. pic.twitter.com/2GFLDHwHIE

— PM of Israel (@IsraeliPM) January 24, 2018

The Prime Minister made it clear to French President Macron that Israel is committed to preventing this nuclearization and expressed his opinion that the failures of the agreement needed to be dealt with. pic.twitter.com/ClzThCMi3s

— PM of Israel (@IsraeliPM) January 24, 2018

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem/Photo credit: Amos Ben-Gershom, GPO)