PM warns of Arab unrest resulting in theocratic regimes

In rare interview, Netanyahu answers questions submitted on YouTube; addresses Channel 10 investigation into travel funding, unrest in Syria, Gazan engineer snatched in Ukraine, bringing Gilad Schalit home.

By JPOST.COM STAFF, HERB KEINON
Netanyahu smiling 311 (photo credit: Amos Ben Gershom/GPO)
Netanyahu smiling 311
(photo credit: Amos Ben Gershom/GPO)
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu held an interview on YouTube on Wednesday, answering questions sent in by audience members worldwide.
Netanyahu commented on the ongoing demonstrations in Syria, saying, "We shouldn't worry about democracy in Arab countries."
RELATED:State Comptroller set to begin 'Bibi-tours' hearingsAnalysis: Assad the intimidatorIsrael: We have Palestinian engineer missing since Feb.Instead, he explained, "you may receive a theocracy, with an extremist Muslim leadership.""There are some journalists who don't like me, they are not happy that I am prime minister," Netanyahu said, addressing the recent Channel 10 report on a series of flights that he and his wife Sara took in the late 1990s and early 2000s, allegedly paid for by wealthy associates.
"This is not the first time something like this has happened," Netanyahu added. "The standard [of treatment] I received is normal."
He continued, "The worst thing, is that in order to hurt me, they are 'going after' my wife."
When asked about Gazan engineer Dirar Abu Sisi, who was snatched in Ukraine, Netanyahu said: "Abu Sisi is a Hamas member."
"He's being held in Israel. He supplied us with valuable information."
Questioned about Abu Sisi's connection to kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Schalit, Netanyahu declined to comment.
"Why would I not try to do something to bring Gilad Schalit home?" Netanyahu replied when asked what moves he's taken to return the kidnapped soldier.
"I need to look at what a reasonable price is. I cannot release murderers" into Israel, he explained. "What if they plan other murders?"
Netanyahu, who has given only a handful of interviews to Israeli media, joins US President Barack Obama and British Prime Minister David Cameron,the only other two leaders to have taken part so far in YouTube’s World View Project that invites local and international viewers to pose questions to world leaders.
Channel 2 News is collaborating with YouTube in the interview, which was broadcast live on both YouTube and Channel 2.
Some 140,000 questions were uploaded, and more than a million votes cast on which question to ask for the interview with Obama. Some 10,000 questions, and 36,000 votes were cast for the Cameron interview.
Questions can be submitted through http://www.youtube.com/user/worldview.