Rivlin: Israel can't rely on anyone regarding Iran

Jerusalem must prepare for a scenario in which the world stands aside and does nothing, Knesset speaker tells his German counterpart.

By LAHAV HARKOV
Reuven Rivlin with German counterpart Horst Seehofer 370 (photo credit: Itzik Harari / Knesset Spokesman)
Reuven Rivlin with German counterpart Horst Seehofer 370
(photo credit: Itzik Harari / Knesset Spokesman)
Israel must be prepared to face Iran, even without the world’s help, Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin told his German counterpart, Bundesrat President and Bavarian Minister-President Horst Seehofer, in the Knesset on Tuesday.
“The Israeli government is not trying to be overly insistent or aggressive,” Rivlin explained.
“Recent developments teach us that the prime minister must be prepared for a situation in which the international community will stand aside and do nothing, while Israel – and the whole world – is threatened.”
The Knesset speaker said past experience shows that Israel must take its own fate in its hands and not trust others to do so.
“It seems that when the nations of the free world say Iran may not develop nuclear weapons, it is only lip service,” Rivlin added. “The struggle must be more steadfast and unambiguous. History cannot show that, yet again, the world is hesitating.”
Click here for full Jpost coverage of the Iranian threat
Click here for full Jpost coverage of the Iranian threat
Rivlin also criticized Germany for passing a law requiring agricultural products from settlements to be labeled as such, saying that it will harm both Israelis and Palestinians, because many Palestinians work in Israeli farms in the Jordan Valley and Judea and Samaria.
“This move will worsen the economic crisis in the Palestinian Authority, and every step in this direction keeps the two sides away from negotiations,” he said, calling for the German government to cancel the labels.
Seehofer responded by praising Israel and Germany’s relationship, saying the two countries are “very friendly.”
“We support Israel’s hope for peace and life in secure borders, and we will continue to support the strengthening of the State of Israel’s security,” Seehofer told Rivlin.