World Jewish News

Netanyahu criticizes the European Union, 'the only international organization that conditions relations with Israel, which

"The European Union is the only international organization that conditions relations with Israel, which gives it technology, on political considerations. Nobody else does that," Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly said at a closed meeting in Budapest with leaders of the countries of the Visegrad group, which comprises Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

Despite the fact that it was a closed meeting, Netanyahu’s statements were accidentally transmitted to journalists covering the meeting.

Netanyahu said: "I was in China. We have special relations with China and they don't care about the political issues. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi told me, 'I have to take care of India's interests, and where will I get that? In Ramallah?' Russia does not make political conditions and neither does Africa. Only the EU makes it conditional. It's crazy. It is against Europe's interests.’’

"Europe is undermining its own security by undermining Israel because of a crazy attempt to institute political conditions."

"Don't undermine the only country in the region that takes care of Europe's interests. Stop attacking Israel. Support Israel. Europe is dissociating itself from the biggest center of innovation in the world. It makes no sense.’’

"I think Europe has to decide if it wants to live and thrive or if it wants to shrivel and disappear,” he said.

"I suggest that you deliver a message to your colleagues in Europe about how to help Europe," the Israeli premier told the East European leaders.

EJP