Livni: Israel's international image a far cry from reality
Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni goes before Massachusetts state lawmakers, speaks of Israel-Palestinian peace process, the need for tighter sanctions on Iran
WASHINGTON – "Sometimes there is a very big difference between Israel's international image and it's realities," said Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni Wednesday, appearing before Massachusetts state lawmakers.
Livni addressed recent criticism regarding Israel's recent operations in Gaza, saying Israel is doing all it can to avoid harming the innocent.
"The death of a Palestinian child or an Israeli one is a terrible loss and we are doing everything we can to prevent that, but sometimes, in the heat of battle it's unavoidable.
"The war on terror makes soldiers and decision makers alike face complex dilemmas, but our first priority must be to protect our citizens," said Livni.
"Ruling another nation is neither an ambition nor is it a policy of Israel. The Israeli people have realized that compromises must be made for the sake of peace. We want the Palestinian people to have a viable, prosperous state," she added; "but we need to know that just as a Palestinian state is an Israeli interest, a safe Israel is a Palestinian one.
"Peace is at the core of Israeli and Jewish tradition and is at the core of our goals as a state," she told the Massachusetts lawmakers. "I can assure you that peace is the primary goal of the Israeli government and my personal mission as foreign minister."
Pressure on Iran must increase
Livni went on to urge the international community on to tighten pressure, including economic sanctions, on Iran to halt its nuclear program, saying "the clock is ticking."
"We must increase the pressure on the Iranian leadership now if we want to avoid difficult dilemmas in the future," she told the Massachusetts House.
"The United Nations and the international community at large have recognized that economic sanctions, especially on Iran's energy sector, are the best means to pursue Iran to change its dangerous course," She said.
The UN Security Council last week imposed more sanctions on Iran for refusing to suspend nuclear enrichment and other sensitive activities. Western analysts doubt they will deter Tehran from its nuclear program.
"There are many who would like to see the flames of fire in the Middle East grow higher," Livni said in Boston.
"When the Iranian regime denies the Holocaust, furthers the destruction of a fellow state, supports terror and violence while pursuing a nuclear weapon, it must be stopped," She said to applause from the Massachusetts lawmakers.
Iran's president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, has questioned whether the Holocaust took place.
Livni did not address the issue of Israel's plans to build hundreds of new homes in a Jewish settlement in the West Bank. US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice criticized the settlement expansion on Wednesday, saying it did not help the peace process.
"We are determined to continue our quest to reach peace with those of the Palestinian side who ... Have embraced as we have the vision of two states for two peoples," Livni said.
Reuters contributed to this report
