Space Network News Jerusalem-based news website highlighting positive and inspiring stories & news

By Itzhak Rabihiya

“Israel is standing on the same front with the United States, moderate Arab states, and with other countries in its opposition to Iranian aggression,” Netanyhau said.

If Iran fulfills its threat to breach curbs on its stock of low-enriched uranium, the international community should immediately clamp sanctions on the regime – the so called “snapback sanctions” spelled out in the 2015 nuclear agreement – Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday. In any event, he added, “Israel will not allow Iran to obtain nuclear weapons.”

Netanyahu's comments came at a memorial service for presidents and prime ministers held at Beit Hanassi, and followed by just a few hours Iran's announcement that it would produce more low-enriched uranium in 10 days unless Europe saves the nuclear deal that US President Donald Trump walked away from in 2015.

“Israel is standing on the same front with the United States, moderate Arab states, and with other countries in its opposition to Iranian aggression,” Netanyhau said. The prime minister said that the Iranian announcement that it will enrich uranium beyond what was allowed under the agreement was no surprise, because when Israel smuggled out of Iran its secret nuclear archives in 2016, it became clear to all to what extent Tehran had lied to the international community about its nuclear program over the years.

US-Iran tensions are running especially high now following the attack on two tankers in the Gulf of Oman last week.  The US blamed Iran for the attacks, something Tehran has denied. Netanyahu also said that Israel is strengthening in an unprecedented fashion its ties with the Arab and Muslim worlds.   “These countries understand more and more that Israel is not their enemy. On the contrary: Israel is a strong and stable ally, that wishes to ensure with them the future of the region,” he said.

President Reuven Rivlin hosted the state memorial ceremony for deceased Presidents and Prime Ministers of Israel. This year, the ceremony was dedicated to the memories of President Shimon Peres, President Yitzhak Ben-Zvi, Prime Minister Levi Eshkol,and Prime Minister Golda Meir.President of the Supreme Court Esther Hayut, acting Speaker of the Knesset Meir Cohen, Chairman of the Prize Committee Prof. Aryeh Naor, members of the families of President Shimon Peres, President Yitzhak Ben-Zvi, Prime Minister Levi Eshkol and Prime Minister Golda Meir also participated in the ceremony.

Continuing to quote President Ben-Zvi, the president said: "The branches of government - the legislative branch, the executive branch, and the judiciary - are the cornerstones of Israeli democracy. It is our duty, the duty of all those who seek the welfare and future of the State of Israel, to respect the laws of the state and the powers of its authorities. This duty is measured in deeds, as well as in the words chosen by citizens and elected officials of the state and its leaders, including me. These are words that should be chosen with seriousness and premeditated thought, out of a commitment to preserve the foundations of our nation."

Each year, a prizes are awarded by the President of the State and by the Prime Minister to researchers and students for work related to the work of the personalities honored each year. The committee, headed by Prof. Aryeh Naor, comprises  public figures, family members and representatives of the Public Council for the Commemoration of Israeli Presidents and Prime Ministers.

 Attached photo credit: Amos Ben-Gershom (GPO)