Olmert focused his speech at a joint meeting of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate on the issues that brought him to Washington – peace talks with the PA and putting the brakes on Iran’s uranium enrichment program.
“With a genuine Palestinian partner for peace, I believe we can reach an agreement on all the issues that divide us,” said Olmert, echoing earlier remarks by U.S. President George W. Bush.
He warned, however, that if the PA chooses to “ignore our outstretched hand for peace, Israel will seek other alternatives to promote our future and our prospects of hope in the Middle East”. Olmert reiterated his pledge to set permanent borders unilaterally if necessary. “We cannot wait for the Palestinians forever,” he said.
Olmert then turned to the issue of the rising threat of nuclear arms in Iran. “Allow me to turn to another dark and gathering storm casting its shadow over the world,” he told the lawmakers.
“Iran, the world’s leading sponsor of terror and a notorious violator of fundamental human rights, stands on the verge of acquiring nuclear weapons,” he warned. “With these weapons, the security of the entire world is put in jeopardy.”
"I come to the home of democracy in order to tell you that the dream of my parents has only been partially fulfilled. We succeeded in establishing a Jewish and democratic state, but we have not enjoyed even a single day of quiet. Ever since the foundation of the state, we are in a constant, daily battle, which is only getting more fierce and more cruel, against the suicide bombers. But today we are not alone. Unfortunately, America, Europe and the entire world is under the same threat."
If Iran reached nuclear capability, he told the Congress, it would mean “mass destruction of innocent human life”. He called it “The Test of Our Time” -- one, he said, that the West could not afford to fail.
Olmert reminded the lawmakers that Iran’s president believes “it is his religious duty and his destiny to lead his country in a violent conflict against the infidels,” referring to Iran’s declaration that the U.S. is its enemy.
Olmert also reminded the Congress that Iran’s president has called for Israel to be wiped off the map and insisted the Holocaust was a myth. “For us, this is an existential threat … to which we cannot consent,” he said, but added that Israel was not the only country affected by Iran’s stance. “It is not Israel’s threat alone,” he said, but rather “a threat to all those committed to stability in the Middle East and the well being of the world at large.”
“Israel would never let you down,” Olmert told the lawmakers, earning a standing ovation. He called on the lawmakers to “stand up for peace and security and freedom,” and to remember that history would judge the generation by “our courage to do what is right”.
“With a genuine Palestinian partner for peace, I believe we can reach an agreement on all the issues that divide us,” said Olmert, echoing earlier remarks by U.S. President George W. Bush.
He warned, however, that if the PA chooses to “ignore our outstretched hand for peace, Israel will seek other alternatives to promote our future and our prospects of hope in the Middle East”. Olmert reiterated his pledge to set permanent borders unilaterally if necessary. “We cannot wait for the Palestinians forever,” he said.
Olmert then turned to the issue of the rising threat of nuclear arms in Iran. “Allow me to turn to another dark and gathering storm casting its shadow over the world,” he told the lawmakers.
“Iran, the world’s leading sponsor of terror and a notorious violator of fundamental human rights, stands on the verge of acquiring nuclear weapons,” he warned. “With these weapons, the security of the entire world is put in jeopardy.”
"I come to the home of democracy in order to tell you that the dream of my parents has only been partially fulfilled. We succeeded in establishing a Jewish and democratic state, but we have not enjoyed even a single day of quiet. Ever since the foundation of the state, we are in a constant, daily battle, which is only getting more fierce and more cruel, against the suicide bombers. But today we are not alone. Unfortunately, America, Europe and the entire world is under the same threat."
If Iran reached nuclear capability, he told the Congress, it would mean “mass destruction of innocent human life”. He called it “The Test of Our Time” -- one, he said, that the West could not afford to fail.
Olmert reminded the lawmakers that Iran’s president believes “it is his religious duty and his destiny to lead his country in a violent conflict against the infidels,” referring to Iran’s declaration that the U.S. is its enemy.
Olmert also reminded the Congress that Iran’s president has called for Israel to be wiped off the map and insisted the Holocaust was a myth. “For us, this is an existential threat … to which we cannot consent,” he said, but added that Israel was not the only country affected by Iran’s stance. “It is not Israel’s threat alone,” he said, but rather “a threat to all those committed to stability in the Middle East and the well being of the world at large.”
“Israel would never let you down,” Olmert told the lawmakers, earning a standing ovation. He called on the lawmakers to “stand up for peace and security and freedom,” and to remember that history would judge the generation by “our courage to do what is right”.