Peres: Iran A Threat To US, Europe

WASHINGTON — Israel's president charged Monday that Iran's nuclear program threatens the United States, Europe and Arab nations, as well as Israel.

"The fanatic rulers of Iran are on the wrong side of history," Shimon Peres told a convention of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, the pro-Israel lobby in Washington.

"In addition to their nuclear option, they invest huge capital in long-range missiles," he said, asserting that Iran is not threatened by anybody. He said that "Iran funds and arms Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza to spread divisions in Lebanon and among the Palestinians, divisions and terror."

Peres said, "Their agents target Americans, Europeans, Arabs and other people." However, he did not call for action against Iran.

Israel considers Iran a strategic threat because of its nuclear program, suspected development of ballistic missiles and repeated calls from its president to wipe Israel off the map. Rejecting Iranian claims that its nuclear program is peaceful, Israel has called on the world to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and has not taken the option of military action off the table.

The Israeli president meets President Barack Obama on Tuesday. He endorsed Obama's call for an outstretched hand instead of a clenched fist but warned that the world is under a dark cloud of militant extremists.

Peres said that Israel's new, hawkish government, headed by Benjamin Netanyahu, wants to work for peace. But Peres, like Netanyahu, did not mention creation of a Palestinian state, although the Israeli elder statesman has worked for what is known as the "two-state solution" for many years. Netanyahu was scheduled to address the AIPAC convention later.

Peres, 85, who won a Nobel Peace Prize in 1994, explained that while Netanyahu used to be his political opponent, "now he is my prime minister," emphasizing the ceremonial nature of his role as president.

Peres praised a 2002 Arab peace initiative offering Israel normal relations in exchange for withdrawal from the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and east Jerusalem. He said that since Israel was not a party to drawing up the proposal, it does not have to agree to every word.

Comments

[powercosmic]

Within 20 years Israel will have an Arab Israeli majority.

Israel as we know it living on borrowed time AT BEST, further economic distress and the US will collapse as its currency is now already vastly overvalued.

China, Russia, and Iran have a mutual interest in seeing US marginalized and Israel isn't going to help there.

Nope its time for Israel to give Palestinians back their land and open up the Israeli govt to a SINGLE STATE solution since that is what is INEVITABLE anyway.

Unless Israel has a "Final Solution" for Arabs in the region the game is UP.

[NeoStar9]

I wish Israel would shut it's mouth already. The way things are going if they think they are going to be allowed to strike Iran knowing full well others aren't okay with then then they have another coming. I would not be surprised if and when Israel decides to attack Iran they find their own missiles or perhaps planes shot down by the US forces in the area. The last thing that area needs is Israel starting an active country to country shooting war. Look at all the heat they took a few months ago. Do they really think the rest of the world would suddenly jump to their defense if they started another fight? For all their talk about stopping Iran why do people keep ignoring that it's Israel that has nukes and currently looking for an excuse to start a war.

[chirps]

Now lets step into the comedic wayback machine and travel back to October 08, 2002
and listen to some words of wisdom from our former leader: http://www.rferl.org/content/article/1101013.htmll]


“Responding to these arguments, Bush expressed hope that the UN Security Council would pass a new resolution requiring Iraq to submit to unrestricted, unconditional inspections of any sites suspected of developing nuclear, biological, or chemical weapons.”

Yes, but what about Israel, Mr. President? What double standards are you serving here?


‘But Bush said confronting Hussein would strengthen the war against terrorism, not weaken it. "Saddam Hussein is harboring terrorists and the instruments of terror, the instruments of mass death and destruction, and he cannot be trusted. The risk is simply too great that he will use [weapons of mass destruction] or provide them to a terror network. Terror cells and outlaw regimes building weapons of mass destruction are different faces of the same evil," Bush said.’

Lies, lies and more lies.

“Bush's speech comes at a time when public-opinion polls show that Americans are less worried about any threats Iraq may pose than they are about the weak U.S. economy. Some of those surveyed said they believe a war against Iraq may hurt the economy further.”

Poor buggers didn’t realize that this was just the kickoff phase of Bush-O-Nomics.

”Despite the misgivings outlined in these surveys, polls show that Bush's approval rating remains high.”

Not for long.

[faith]

NO WEAPONS, NO MONEY, NO SUPPORT FOR ISRAEL'S WARS AGAINST ITS NEIGHBORS. It is time that Israel learn to coexist with others or be assimilated in the middle east. Its constant encroachment, it unbelievable cruelty to palestinians in Gaza must end. America needs to make it clear that we will no longer finance Israel, we need to cleanup our own back yard.

[kimleehan]

The invasion of Iraq should have made Israel safer, but it did'nt it only made Iran stronger. Hans Blix

[nogimmicks]

I am pretty sure I heard that exact speech seven years ago. Oh, wait, it was 'q' not 'n'.

[betz55]

Give it up old man, the world has moved on and doesn't buy the selling of Israel good, everyone else bad BS. Peres ranting serves no other purpose than to stall progress towards negotiations, and to save his government from having to deal with the real issues. Peres, Bibi and his moldavian thug of an FM are fooling no one. Israel"s current evasive tactics are not new.

Israel pre-emptively invades their neighbors, Iran does not.

The Iran 'issue' is 100% Israeli.

Unlike Iran, Israel simply has too much to hide and wants to keep it that way. When is Israel going to sign the NNPT and allow IAEA inspections ? Which Iran has done.

The US and Israel want Iranian nuclear transparency? Then Israel better be just as transparent.

America's silence about Israelis nuclear weapons and lack of membership to the NPT while maintaining such harsh rhetoric towards Iran's nuclear program, which is legally allowed to enrich uranium as a NPT member is an example of the kind of outright double standard BS that the United States has been following in its foreign policy.

Good news? There will be when the US recognizes a two-state solution, a separation between Israel and this one, the United States.

Peres, Bibi and Liebermen need to stop the nonsense. When is the media going to start talking about Israeli nukes and start calling for transparency from Israel ? The double standard between Iran and Israel should be pointed out whenever Iran is brought up.

[chirps]

"When is the media going to start talking about Israeli nukes and start calling for transparency from Israel ? The double standard between Iran and Israel should be pointed out whenever Iran is brought up."

Don't hold your breath.

[Paulo1]

"The fanatic rulers of Iran are on the wrong side of history,"

Now that is an interesting statement. Totally inane and worthy of an F on any paper. I doubt one of my students would be brave enough to ever try to use that phrase in an essay. There is no "wrong side of history" it either happened and it is therefore historical or it is fantasy. It is little more than a popular cliche for the historically challenged. Usually it is shorthand for events that do not follow historical trends.
Perhaps he means that Iran is bucking historical trends by seeking nuclear arms and missiles? Well the historical record of Israel says that they are actually following trends.
Perhaps he means Iran is working against a current trend of disarmament? North Korea and a few other states with nuclear programs make that a fallacy.
Perhaps he means that "if you keep researching nuclear weapons your history"? In which case he should refine his threats into more direct language.

[Independent voter]

It is Isreal that is the real threat to the US, Europe and the middle east

[lvdragonlady]

Glad I am not the only one that thinks this.
It seems like Isreal is just looking to start a war with someone no matter what.

[wsblake]

The only thing Iran is a "threat" to is Israeli aggression.

[Sis3563]

We are constantly reminded that Iran is a threat and Ahmajinidad is a radical nut, but how many people go beyond these talking points and actually listen to what Ahmajinidad is telling us? This man speaks the truth while Israel spews forth lies and deception.

We are giving aid to a regime that has nuclear capabilities and we're helping to promote their agenda of "Greater Israel". Why? They threatened Iran and try to provoke war. Israel reminds me of a mean kid on the playground who, when his mommy isn't looking, hits his playmate. When the playmate threatens retaliation, he begins to cry victim and mommy runs to his aid.

Fear of the anti-semite label restricts us from criticizing the Israeli government and their zionist agenda. That's like being accused of anti-Christianism for criticizing the GOP. If they attack Iran and drag us into it, we can kiss our future goodbye. The prophecy will be self-fulfilled.

[Sentientbeing09]

Theres an excellent series of essays about the framing and ambushing of the Israeli / Palestine debate by anti-anti-Semites:

The Politics of Anti-Semitism (Paperback)
by Alexander Cockburn (Editor), Jeffrey St. Clair (Author)

http://www.amazon.com/Politics-Anti-Semitism-Alexander-Cockburn/dp/1902593774

[There has been a concerted effort in the United States to block critical debate about what is happening in Israel-Palestine, and a pervasive last-ditch attempt to stifle criticism of Israel by smearing those who dare to raise their voices. This book is a collection of articles dealing with the means that the insidious slur of "anti-Semitism" has been used for political ends. The articles range from a philosophical examination of the term "anti-Semitism" to a survey of the topics that are not covered in US discourse because of self-censorship induced by fear, fear of being labeled an anti-Semite or fear of being targeted by pro-Israeli groups. The consequences of this are evident for all to see: an uncritical acceptance of interminable US wars, the generalized misery of the Palestinian people, bloated armaments budgets, and massive US resources siphoned off to Israel. To break the silence and allay fear over these topics requires critical appraisal of what anti-Semitism actually means and to tackle the taboo that it represents.]

Its worth a read.

[Austintatious]

Yes, President Peres, Iran is a threat to world peace; however, Israel, with its current government and mentalities such as yours in positions of power and authority in that government, is a much greater threat, especialy when considering the unconditional support typically provided Israel by its lackey, the government of the U. S.

[monelis]

This is what they call “Pot calling the kettle black”. The Mullah’s might be the worst dictators in the world with a few outdated missiles and guns but Israel with the help of AIPAC and my TAX DOLLARS has the latest weapons and nuclear arsenal in the world.

Also I don’t think Mullah’s have attacked any of their neighbors nor killed thousands of innocent women and children. As they say what goes around comes around and God forbid for that day that power shifts and I hate to see the poor innocent Jewish people get caught up in the act of few power mongering rulers. …Nobody holds power forever.

[Brandon Crisler]

With Israel calling the shots there will never be peace. I pray Obama's more sane on this issue than our last four presidents. Or we'll forget about Hiroshima and Nagasaki as that chapter in the history books is overshadowed by the new one on Tehran and Jerusalem. Ugh, when will these religious fools open their eyes. Death over mythology is so outdated.

[Solaris123]

"Iran A Threat To US, Europe."
Certsinly,l Americans and Eropeans agree. So does most of Middle East agrees.
That's why the regime of sanctions has been put in place. That's why Arab states quietly aligned themselves with Israel to defeat and constrain Iranian power and proxies in the Middle East.

[monelis]

Dude, of course if you are a dude; wake up and don’t be so naive. Those Arab states that you are talking about are our guys and they will do whatever we asked them to do like a puppet. But wait the world tide and balance is shifting and little common sense will save the whole region.

[WoodyTanaka]

LOL... The "behind the scenes even the ARABS agree with Israel" nonsense again. Worked so well when it was about Saddam, might as well cart the ol' girl out for one more go 'round, eh?

[chirps]

George Washington in his Farewell Address to the nation said the following: “The nation which indulges towards another a habitual hatred or a habitual fondness is in some degree a slave. It is a slave to its animosity or to its affection, either of which is sufficient to lead it astray from its duty and its interest.”

Hello, members of the US Congress, are you listening or are you just too busy attending the AIPAC conference?

[Sentientbeing09]

Wow. Arabs are secret zionists. You heard it here first.