WarSclerotic

Liberman: It’s time for Israel to look for allies other than the United States | JPost | Israel News.

By JPOST.COM STAFF

11/20/2013 14:28

Foreign minister says “for many years Israel’s foreign policy was one directional towards Washington, but my policy has many more directions”; stresses peace with Palestinians will come only after economy strengthens.

Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman said Wednesday that Israel should focus on making new allies as opposed to relying solely on its relationship with the United States.

During a speech given at the Sderot Conference, Liberman stressed the importance of not putting too much focus on America as Israel’s main ally. “For many years Israel’s foreign policy was one directional towards Washington, but my policy has many more directions.”

Liberman, who returned to his post last week after being acquitted of fraud charges, said “the Americans today are dealing with too many challenges and I wouldn’t want to be in their place. They are busy in Iran and North Korea and also have economic and immigration problems.”

The foreign minister’s comments came as Washington and Jerusalem have butted heads recently regarding sanctions and nuclear talks with Iran. Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and US Secretary of State John Kerry have publicly disagreed about pursuing a diplomatic agreement with Iran.

Regarding the peace process, Liberman said “we can build peace but we can’t force it. The order of priorities must be first Israeli security, afterward the Palestinian economy and then peace. We can’t ruin this order. We will come to peace without negotiatiors when the economic situation improves”.

Liberman also attacked the treatment of Israel at the UN: “If i were to take the simplest statistic…since the founding of the security council there were 49 condemnations against Israel and only 3 against Iran.”

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