Netanyahu meets Jewish leaders in Jerusalem
Photo: EPA
PM: Arab Spring puts strain on efforts for agreement with PA
Speaking to US Jewish leaders Netanyahu says unrest in region puts enormous pressure on Israel's security efforts
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
addressed the 38th Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations in Jerusalem on Sunday.
Discussing the Arab Spring, Netanyahu noted that his government had warned last year that revolutions in the Middle East could result in Islamist radicalization and was then accused of being unoptimistic.
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He added that unrest in the region has put enormous pressure on Israel's security which in turn is creating difficulties in reaching an agreement with the Palestinian Authority. The prime minister also noted that Israel will need to invest much more on defense in the wake of the massive change in the region.
Netanyahu thanked the Jewish leaders for their contribution to Israel but stressed that foreign aid alone can not help Israel meet all of its needs, even in non-security related fields like health.
He pointed to Israeli economic growth as the only means that can try to meet those needs and noted that growth has allowed Israel to fund its defense. Netanyahu added that Israel will continue to do what it has been doing to support this growth.
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