Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu spoke on Sunday at the virtual summit of Christians United for Israel (CUFI).
“I want to thank President Trump for all he has done for Israel. Israel has never had a better friend in the White House,” said Netanyahu, adding, “Israel’s security has been strengthened immeasurably by President Trump’s bold decision to withdraw from the dangerous nuclear deal with Iran.”
Describing the Iranian nuclear deal as a “farce”, Netanyahu urged other countries to follow in Trump’s footsteps and sanction Iran.
“We’re as determined as ever to prevent a regime that vows to wipe out the one and only Jewish state from ever developing nuclear weapons,” he stressed. “It’s time for all responsible countries to join the United States and sanction Iran.”
Netanyahu pointed out other historic decisions Trump has made, including recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and moving the US embassy there, recognizing Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights, and unveiling his vision for peace.
“My friends, the President’s vision finally puts to rest the two-state illusion,” Netanyahu stated. “It calls for a realistic two-state solution, and in this realistic solution Israel, and Israel alone, has the overall security responsibility west of the Jordan River. This is good for Israel, is good for the Palestinians, is good for peace. President Trump’s plan doesn’t really change the reality on the ground. It recognizes the reality on the ground.”
The plan, he explained, “provides Israel with defensible borders, including the strategic Jordan Valley” and does not require Israel to rely on outside forces to maintain its security. It also calls for Jerusalem to be united and prevents the uprooting of Jews from their homes.
“President Trump’s plan is anchored in a foundation of truth. It confronts a great lie head on: The lie that the Jewish people are foreign colonialists in our own ancestral homeland. It makes clear that the Jewish people have a valid, legal, historic and moral claim to Judea and Samaria, and it supports Israel’s sovereignty over the Jewish communities there.”
On the issue of sovereignty over Judea and Samaria, Netanyahu said, “Applying Israeli law to areas of Judea and Samaria that will remain part of Israel in any future peace deal will not set back the cause of peace, it will advance peace.”
“I encourage the Palestinians not to lose another opportunity, not to waste another century trying to destroy Israel. They should embrace President Trump’s vision. They should sit down and negotiate in good faith. They should be prepared to negotiate a historic compromise that can bring peace to Israelis and Palestinians alike.”
Netanyahu stressed, “Israel is prepared for such negotiations. I am prepared for such a negotiation, and I believe many Arab states in our region are hoping that we enter such negotiations with the Palestinians.”