When it comes to the dangers that Iran poses to the Middle East, “there is no daylight” between Israel’s government and opposition, Zionist Union chief and opposition leader Isaac Herzog said at the AIPAC Policy Conference on Monday morning.
Herzog added that he frequently meets with world leaders to discuss Iran, a country that he referred to as a “vile empire.” In those meetings, he said, he reiterates that the Iranian issue is a bipartisan concern in Israeli politics.
The opposition leader added that the Iranian threat provided a “rare opportunity” for his country to work with and grow closer to Arab neighbors who share Israel’s concerns. Herzog called on Israel to formally respond to the Arab Peace Initiative in order to kickstart that work as well as spur a process that will allow “separation” between Israel and the Palestinians.
Herzog, the son of former Israeli President and UN Ambassador Chaim Herzog, also praised the work of U.S. Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley in fighting anti-Israel activities and biases.
Isaac Herzog said that @nikkihaley follows in the footsteps of his father Chaim's counterpart at UN Daniel Patrick Moynihan #AIPAC2017
— David Gerstman (@soccerdhg) March 27, 2017
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made similar points when he spoke to the AIPAC plenary via video on Monday morning. Netanyahu stated that the U.S.-Israel alliance entailed “confronting Iran’s aggression in the region, and its terrorism around the world. It means utterly vanquishing ISIS, not partially. It means building alliances with moderates in the region, those moderates who seek to build a better future, and embrace modernity and peace.”
Netanyahu also said that “Israel’s hand, and my hand, is extended to all our neighbors in peace,” later adding that “the common dangers faced by Israel and many of our Arab neighbors now offer a rare opportunity to build bridges towards a better future — a future more prosperous, more secure and more peaceful.”
[Photo: AIPAC]