In interview with Channel 2, Netanyahu hits back at Olmert's criticism, touts security accomplishments including Iron Dome and security fence, says in order to make peace with Palestinian, Israel must be strong.
By JPOST.COM STAFFPM Netanyahu at cabinet meeting 370 (R)(photo credit: Pool / Emil Zalman / Haaretz)
"Today there is no peace process because Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas won't agree to talk without preconditions," Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said Monday night in an interview with Channel 2.He also told Channel 2 that he would make peace when he has someone before him who "does not embrace Hamas.""We have to be strong," he stressed, "our hand is outstretched for peace, but we can only do it if we're strong."Hitting back at accusations made over the weekend by former premier Ehud Olmert that Netanyahu wasted billions of shekels on "security delirium," the prime minister repeated his claim that he "did not waste one shekel."Click for full JPost coverageTouting his security accomplishments he pointed to the Iron Dome and security fence, in which he said he was proud to have invested billions in. He further opined that citizens appreciate that the security situation is better, and now feel safer to go out and enjoy themselves."We now have capabilities that Israel has never had before," he stated, saying that the state was now better-equipped to defend itself from enemies that want to annihilate the country.
