Livni to German FM: Iran still sponsoring terrorism after agreement with world powers

Former FM and Justice Minister is in Berlin where she will participate in a G7 conference on women’s political participation.

By LAHAV HARKOV
Updated: SEPTEMBER 17, 2015 03:12
Livni and Steinmeier in Berlin, September 16 (photo credit: TZIPI LIVNI'S OFFICE)
Livni and Steinmeier in Berlin, September 16
(photo credit: TZIPI LIVNI'S OFFICE)
The world must stop Iran from sponsoring terrorism before embracing the Islamic Republic, MK Tzipi Livni (Zionist Union) told German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier in Berlin on Wednesday.
The meeting took place a day after Steinmeier met with Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi to discuss improved relations between Berlin and Tehran.
Livni expressed Israeli concerns about the immediate collapse of the sanctions regime against Iran.
“Before you embrace Iran, you must act to prevent it from continuing to push terrorist activity,” she said. “Iran is still the problem and not the solution, not even in the crisis in Syria, like Germany tends to think.”
The Zionist Union MK added that, even after the world powers’ agreement with Iran, it continues to support terrorism and an extremist agenda and to speak about destroying Israel.
Livni and Steinmeier also discussed the escalating violence in Jerusalem, with Livni explaining that Israel is trying to maintain the status quo in the city.
However, she added, Israel “faces provocations by Islamic extremists who are trying to turn the conflict into an explosive religious one that will pull in the entire Muslim world.”
On Wednesday evening, Livni participated in a G7 conference on women’s political participation, to which she was invited by German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Other participants included Queen Rania of Jordan and former New Zealand prime minister Helen Clark.