Pres. Peres to US Sen. Kerry: Defensive Measures Needed to Protect Arab States from the Iranian Threat

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"There is a serious need for defensive measures, such as advanced anti-missile systems, to protect Arab states from the Iranian threat"

"If they are not protected, each of these states will develop its own nuclear capabilities"

President Peres met today with United States Senator John Kerry, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. At the start of the meeting Senator Kerry signaled a desire for Israel and the Palestinians to return to negotiations: “We are, needless to say, anxious to see the parties begin to have a real dialogue. And we are anxious to be helpful in any way that we can.” The President called on the United States, as a serious and responsible mediator, to assist in opening the peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians: “if there is somebody that can do anything it is the Untied States of America.”

President Peres remarked on the global danger Iran presents, arguing that Iran uses Israel as an excuse to pursue its true goal of Middle Eastern hegemony. The President added that “There is a serious need for defensive measures, such as advanced anti-missile systems, to protect Arab states from the Iranian threat. If they are not protected, each of these states will develop its own nuclear capabilities. Such defensive measures should be implemented at the same time as effective economic sanctions."