Netanyahu warns that world must take action against Iran

"Action not want to face specter of nuclear terrorism PM warns Jewish GA against nuclear Iran; says Teheran sponsors terror in Lebanon, Gaza, confronts US in Iraq, Afghanistan; talks of wanting a "secure peace."

By GIL STERN STERN SHEFLER
netanyahu herzl_311 (photo credit: Lior Mizrahi/Pool/AP)
netanyahu herzl_311
(photo credit: Lior Mizrahi/Pool/AP)
NEW ORLEANS - Iran is the greatest threat to the world and its nuclear program must be stopped, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in his keynote address to the Jewish Federations of North America’s General Assembly in New Orleans on Monday.
“The greatest danger facing the world is the prospect of a nuclear Iran,” he said. “It sponsors terror in Lebanon and Gaza, confronts the US in Iraq and Afghanistan, establishes beachheads in Saudi Arabia. Its influence has spread even to this hemisphere in South America. It has done all this without nuclear weapons. Imagine what it will do with them. “RELATED:'Only credible military threat will stop Iran nuclear race'Gates: Threat of force not the only way to deter Iran
Speaking at the biggest annual Jewish conference in North America, he called on the West to take greater measures including the possibility of military action against Iran if it wants to avoid the specter of nuclear terrorism.
“The only time Iran suspended its program in 2003 when it believed it faced a military action,” Netanyahu said. “If the world wants to stop Iran without military action, it has to convince them that they are willing to take such action.”
He also spoke about talks between Israel and the Palestinians which hit a wall shortly after they were renewed a few months ago over the issue of construction in Jewish settlements in the West Bank.
“We want a secure peace but we don’t want to see the same thing we saw when we left Gaza and Lebanon and have missiles streaming into Israel” he said. “And I will not let that happen.”
Click for full Jpost coverage of the GA 2010
Click for full Jpost coverage of the GA 2010
In recent years Israeli governmental officials, past and present, have had to deal with the growing phenomenon of heckling.  But heckling at the Jewish GA whose participants are staunch supporters of Israel is rare. During his speech Netanyahu was interrupted by protestors demonstrating against the occupation of the West Bank and the loyalty oath no less than six times. 
“The loyalty oath de-legitimizes the state of Israel,” one man shouted before being quickly dragged out by security. 
“I’m going to talk about de-legitimizing Israel but they really have the wrong address,” Netanyahu said in response, receiving uproarious applause from the crowd. 
While unusual, it was not a precedent. In 2005 then prime minister Ariel Sharon was heckled at the GA by protesters demonstrating against the Gaza Disengagement.
Netanyahu’s speech was preceded by Steve Schwager, the CEO of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC).
“We know that when Jews need to be rescued the JDC will be there,” he said. “We have saved Jews from Nazi Germany, the Soviet Union and Yemen and wherever we need to be, we will be there tomorrow.”