‘’We listen to the speeches at the United Nations, but the only way to test Iran's intentions is by deeds and not just words,’’ said Israeli President Shimon Peres at a press conference which followed a meeting in The Hague with judges of the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
"(Iran President Rouhani's speech was nice but it was based on a false reality as Iranian centrifuges, at this very moment, continue to work and produce enriched uranium for a nuclear bomb, the program to develop long range missiles which can carry nuclear warheads is being expanded and the Revolutionary Guards continue to support terror organizations,’’ he said.
‘’The Iranian nuclear threat is not just an Israeli problem but for the whole world which doesn't want to be threatened by one country," he added.
In welcoming Peres in the Peace Palace, ICJ President Judge Peter Tomka was eloquent in his praise of Peres’s long years of commitment to, and work for, peace.
“We are honored by your presence,” said Tomka. “Peace can be based on justice and solid legal foundations. Whenever we solve disputes between sovereign states, we always emphasize that the most efficient way is through negotiations. We wish your people peace and justice in a safe and secure environment with peace with your neighbors.”
During the meeting with the ICJ judges, President Peres stressed the importance which Israel attaches to international law, Israel's constant struggle against terrorism and the countries which finance it.
President Peres said, in the clearest way possible regarding Israel's fight against terror, that "Israel Defense Forces soldiers hold morality and justice as their highest values – the IDF is committed to defense and peace while securing human rights and maintaining international law."
He discussed with the judges the difficulties faced by Israel's citizens who live under the threat of terror and his personal experience of dealing with terrorism as Prime Minister after the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin: "Peace exacts a heavy price but it remains the desire of the people of Israel. I stood with the citizens of Israel in the streets after the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin – as an Israeli I was under a tremendous wave of brutal terror attacks during which buses exploded in the streets and children were murdered in shopping centers. In the years which followed, after the painful and difficult disengagement from the Gaza Strip during which Israel removed families from their homes, rockets were fired at innocent civilians. Mothers and children slept for long periods of time in bomb shelters."
‘’Israel underwent seven wars but we never stopped our search for peace with our neighbors. Never did a day of war postpone a day of democracy. Never did wars justify injustice,’’ he added.
The Israeli President is on a 3-day state visit to Holland at the invitation of King Willem-Alexander.
On Tuesday he was welcomed by the King at the Noordeinde Palace before a meeting at the Casthuis in The Hague with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte. Thereafter, he will to deliver a speech to the members of the Upper and Lower House of the Dutch Parliament in the plenary hall.
His visit comes as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met US President Barack Obama at the White House on Monday. Both leaders highlighted the importance of maintaining the pressure of sanctions and a credible military threat while engaging in dialogue over Iran’s nuclear programme.
Netanyahu and Obama met at the White House after Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani last week indicated a willingness to open dialogue with the international community over his country’s nuclear development, culminating in a fifteen minute phone conversation between Rouhani and Obama.
However, speaking alongside Netanyahu in the Oval Office, Obama said that “given the statements and actions from the Iranian regime in the past,” it is “absolutely clear that words are not sufficient, that we have to have actions” to show “that they [Iran] are not in a position to have a nuclear weapon.” Obama reassured Netanyahu that although “we have to test diplomacy,” he would enter talks with Iran “very clear-eyed” and would demand “the highest standards of verification” before reconsidering sanctions on Iran. Obama also reiterated “we take no options off the table, including military options” to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.
Netanyahu expressed appreciation for Obama’s commitment that “Iran’s conciliatory words have to be matched by real actions” and “the enormous work” regarding sanctions. However, he said that “Iran is committed to Israel’s destruction” and “if diplomacy is to work” then the “combination of a credible military threat and… sanctions” must be kept in place. Indeed, he said that “if Iran continues to advance its nuclear program during negotiations, the sanctions should be strengthened.” Netanyahu also reiterated his commitment to current peace talks with the Palestinian Authority, commenting “I hope that we can achieve an historic transformation” for both peoples.
Netanyahu also met yesterday with US Secretary of State John Kerry.
On Tuesday evening, Netanyahu will deliver a speech at the United Nations’ General Assembly, which is also expected to focus on Iran.