US Secretary of State John Kerry on Monday reiterated America's commitment to stand with Israel against the Iranian nuclear threat. At a meeting with President Shimon Peres in the latter's official residence, Kerry assured Peres that America understands the nature of the threat of Iran, as President Obama has said many times. "You have a friend in President Obama; he doesn't bluff," Kerry declared.
Kerry also emphasized that Israel has friends in the administration and in Congress.
America continues to seek a diplomatic solution to the Iranian problem, said Kerry, but made it clear that "no options are off the table and no options will be taken off the table."
Even though America would prefer a diplomatic solution, it is taking an eyes wide open approach and is aware that the clock is ticking, Kerry told Peres. "No one will allow the diplomatic process to stand in the way of whatever choices need to be taken in order to protect the world from another nuclear weapon in the wrong hands," he said.
Earlier in the day, Kerry, at Peres's invitation, had participated in the wreath laying ceremony at Yad Vashem.
Using the Hebrew expression for Holocaust Remembrance Day, Kerry said that it had been a great honor to share in Yom Hashoah and to lay a wreath on behalf of the American people on a day which was "a unique combination of sorrow and honor".
When he heard the siren wail, he said, he remembered the stories he had been told of how the whole country freezes to a standstill.
The wailing had a profound impact that was impressive, he said.
In welcoming Kerry to the residence, Peres said that he was particularly appreciative of Kerry's participation in the memorial ceremony. Referring to the outcome of the Holocaust Peres said: "We paid a heavy price and lost a third of our people. Yet from the ashes of the Holocaust we rebuilt the Jewish State with the capacity to defend ourselves and the energy to rebuild our land with the heritage of justice for all."
In this context, Peres listed Israel's various minorities.
Peres always finds it somewhat difficult to contain his anger when speaking of Iran which on the one hand denies the Holocaust and on the other is planning another for Israel. It is something that rankles to such an extent that Peres cannot desist from mentioning it frequently. He did so again at memorial ceremonies and in his discussion with Kerry. "Today of all days we should condemn this regime which denies the Holocaust and threatens another one," he said, charging that Iran poses the greatest threat to peace, security and regional stability.
Closer to home, Peres expressed confidence in the possibility of ending the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. "There is a new wind of peace blowing through the Middle East," he said, citing Obama's re-election, Kerry's appointment to his present post and the formation of a new government in Israel as a combination of elements that create "a new sense of optimism and a belief that peace is possible."
Kerry agreed that there are indeed possibilities for people to live together and to find common ground without hatred. It was a great privilege for him he said, to represent President Obama and the American people in an effort to try to get over the line (towards peace). "We all know it's not easy," he told Peres, "but as you said yourself, it can be done. You have to believe in the possibilities."
Peres, who does believe in the possibilities, confirmed this by saying that peace is possible, that gaps can be bridged and that disagreements can be overcome through negotiations. "The two-state solution is the best solution and the parameters for that agreement already exist," he said
The two men who have known each other for some thirty years, and have worked together in their various changing capacities, each expressed friendship and respect for each other. Peres praised Kerry's "dedication, wisdom and constant effort" and said that he had never been disappointed by him. If he was surprised, it was always for the better.
When Kerry returned to his hotel, there was a 'Free Pollard' demonstration waiting to greet him. But even before that, if he had looked out of the window of the limousine in which he was riding as he took his leave of Peres, he would have seen banners with the likeness of Jonathan Pollard strung across the balconies of four residential complexes directly opposite the President's Residence, with different slogans calling for Pollard's release, indicating that there is a strong degree of consensus on this issue in Israel.