Netanyahu Says Military Power Guarantees Israeli Security

By Newsroom America Staff at 6 Feb 2012

(Newsroom America) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu said Sunday that only military strength guarantees the Jewish state's survival because it is surrounded by hostile Arab regimes, especially Iran, that seek its destruction.

"In such a region, the only thing that ensures our existence, security and prosperity is our strength," Netanyahu - who is scheduled to visit the U.S. in March - told his Cabinet in Jerusalem in remarks broadcast on Israel Radio.

"We are obligated to continue to develop the military, economic and social strength of the state of Israel," he said.

Some Israeli leaders have been warning that time is running out to strike Iran before it completes the infrastructure necessary to build nuclear weapons. Iran's leadership has often threatened to destroy Israel.

U.S. President Barack Obama, in an interview with NBC on Sunday during the NFL's Super Bowl pre-game show, said of the Iranian threat that "our preferred solution is diplomatic but we’re not going to take any actions off the table."

Asked about reports that Israel had made a decision to strike Iran, Obama said, "I don’t think that Israel has made a decision on what they need to do."

Obama said the two countries have “closer military and intelligence consultation than ever before” and “we are going to work in lockstep to try to solve this, hopefully diplomatically.”

When he visits the U.S., Netanyahu will speak at the annual conference of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, according to a government announcement.

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