Daniel Ayalon
Photo: Louise Green
Ayalon: Israel-Europe relations solid
Deputy FM says that since nothing links Jerusalem to Dubai hit on Hamas operative, chances of diplomatic crisis with European allies are slim
Deputy Foreign Minister Daniel Ayalon said Saturday that the chances of a a diplomatic crisis brewing between Israel and the European community over the Dubai assassination of Hamas operative Mahmoud al-Mabhouh are very slim.
Such a crisis is unlikely, he said, since there is no evidence linking Israel to the hit. The UK, France and Germany, he added, "share Israel's interests when it comes to fighting global terror. Our relations can only grow stronger."
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Speaking at a function in Rehovot, Aylon also addressed recent reports that Russia intends to complete an arms deal with Iran and provide the Islamic Republic with S-300 air defense missile systems, saying he was sure "Russia will exercise due caution on the matter. I'm not so sure the sale will go through."
As for Syrian President Bashar Assad's call to impose peace process progress on Israel, the Deputy foreign minister said that id Damascus truly wants to strike peace, "it should first and foremost stop supporting global terror."
Turning his attention to the Palestinian Authority, Ayalon said that "any Palestinian leader truly interested in peace would sit down and talk with us sans preconditions, while isolating radical forces, instead of attacking Israel in international forums.
