Defense Minister Ehud Barak, who was briefed on Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s White House meeting, rejected reports of strained relations between Jerusalem and Washington, stating “Netanyahu and Obama have begun a dialogue”.
 
Responding to reports on the Washington meeting, Barak during a visit to IDF Central Command Headquarters stated Israel is aware it must enter into a process with the PA (Palestinian Authority). “I do not believe the four words ‘two states for two people’ will stop the Iranian centrifuges” stated Barak.
 
Barak spoke with the prime minister on Tuesday morning, receiving a first-hand report on the meeting. Regarding American demands to remove authorized outposts in Yehuda and Shomron, Barak stated “The outposts are not an issue between Israel and the United States, but between Israel and herself”.
 
“Any self-respecting nation cannot tolerate outposts on private Palestinian land and we are compelled to act accordingly” added Barak. Barak added he is pleased that a dialogue is underway between the White House and the current Israeli administration and that “the president realizes the importance of the Iranian issue”.
 
The senior minister added that Israel is not ruling out any options, advising the United States and others to do the same.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)