Arad: Obama's remarks our insurance policy
National security advisor tells Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee that 'US is strategically committed to Israel's security – Obama made it clear in his own voice, the administration made it clear in writing'
"The United States if strategically committed to Israel's security, in terms of the international community's demands on the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty," Arad said. "President Obama made this clear in his own voice in his recent meeting with the prime minister, and the American administration made it clear in writing in the past few weeks. This is our insurance policy."
"The written statements of the United States, which arrived several weeks before the Washington visit, said that Israel defined its own security needs. This is a meaningful statement by the White House. The US is in fact saying that it is attentive and understands Israel's security needs."
Arad added that during Obama's meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the American president reiterated his commitment to Israel's security. "He said that in light of Israel's history, the State's geographic location, and the threats it faces – its security needs are unique."
According to Arad, these statements are the result of understandings between Israel and American presidents and administrations over many years, as part of the "special relations" between the two countries.
He said this was a renewal of the commitment given to Netanyahu during his first term in office by former US President Bill Clinton. "This is our insurance policy. The United States is saying openly that it allow Israel's security to be contested on these maters. Obama and his administration acknowledge Israel's need to answer any threat it may face with security means."
'Israel will defend itself on its own'
The national security advisor believes that the US support in May for a Middle East free of nuclear weapons does not point to a change in direction. According to Arad, Obama's remarks and the commitment conveyed by Washington allow Israel to maintain its policy.
He told the Knesset members that Israel would determine its policy on its own ahead of the 2012 conference on Middle East nuclear non-proliferation.
"This is not necessarily about nukes, but about any mass destruction weapon," Arad said. "I don't see any Arab countries with an arsenal of mass destruction weapons that would take part in this conference."
Arad clarified that the US viewed the committee as a place for exchanging opinions rather than a conference would require a real removal of mass destruction weapons from the region.
The national security advisor added that Obama had promised to maintain Israel's qualitative advantage over its neighbors and allow it to defend itself on its own.
"This is not a trivial thing," Arad said. "As opposed to countries which relay on the United States, Israel is maintaining the right it has asked for – to defend itself on its own."
He denied a report that Obama had given Netanyahu a commitment to sell civilian nuclear reactors.
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