Netanyahu fends off criticism at Knesset
Prime minister addresses various claims made against him by opposition, promises to urge China to increase pressure on Iran
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday addressed various foreign policy and domestic issues during a heated Knesset debate.
After hearing criticism leveled against him in relation to haredim, the peace process and the social situation Netanyahu climbed the podium to respond to the claims.
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While discussing the harsh sanctions imposed on Iran by the European Union, Netanyahu noted he had discussed the matter with French President Nicolas Sarkozy and British Prime Minister David Cameron on Tuesday.
He also said he had urged the leaders of China and India to decrease their dependence on Iranian oil and expressed hope South Korea would do the same. "We are working on a wide front to enhance international pressure on Iran and that is certainly high up in our priorities," he told the MKs.
Netanyahu at Knesset plenum (Photo: Gil Yohanan)
The prime minister also said he received an invitation to visit China having attended a Chinese embassy function on Tuesday. He promised to pressure Beijing into increasing the pressure on Iran.
Addressing the peace process with the Palestinians, Netanyahu called on the PA to continue with the current talks despite the difficulties. "I appreciate the efforts of Jordan's King Abdullah. I very much hope that the Palestinians will realize that it is in their interest to continue with the talks, because eventually only negotiations will bring about a solution to the conflict."
Referring to claims made against him earlier, he promised to handle the crisis in the Ethiopian community and work to fight organized crime in the Arab sector.
He also took a jab at Kadima's Tzipi Livni and Shaul Mofaz who aim to run against him in the next elections. "I think the right thing for you to do is to follow a simple rule – more modesty, less hypocrisy."
It was then Livni's turn to face the Knesset and Netanyahu, whom she accused of being afraid of his coalition partners and yielding to their demands just to stay in power.
She criticized the prime minister for his role in the political stalemate. "There are two possibilities – either the prime minister has no clue how to handle negotiations or he just doesn't want to, and both are bad for Israel," she said.
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