Netanyahu to West: Nip Islamic extremism in the bud, or you'll find it at your doorstep
Prime minister hosts Norwegian FM Brende, says groups such as Islamic State, Hamas "form a clear and present danger to our civilization, to our way of life, our values."
By JPOST.COM STAFFNetanyahu hosts Norwegian FM Brende
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu warned Monday that the extremism represented by groups such as the Islamic State is a threat to the entire world, not just the Middle East.Speaking during a meeting with visiting Norwegian Foreign Minister Børge Brende, Netanyahu said those who do not "nip it in the bud" immediately, will find the Islamic extremism seen today in the Middle East "at their doorsteps tomorrow."Netanyahu told Brende that there is "a growing awareness in the international community of the threat posed by Islamist terror and radicalism. Groups like ISIS, Hamas, al Nusra, al-Qaida, al Shabaab, Hezbollah supported by Iran, they form a clear and present danger to our civilization, to our way of life, our values."Brende, who was visiting Israel after having attended the weekend's NATO summit in Wales, discussed the international coalition-building process currently taking place to combat the growing threat of the Islamic State, formerly known as ISIS."[I send] condolences from Norway on what has taken place in difficult times for Israel this summer. I just came from the NATO summit in Wales to Israel and also there was a lot of discussion of to join forces now against extremism, especially now with the growing ISIS and challenge in Syria and Iraq."In a major development, the Arab League elected on Sunday to join Europe and the United States in its confrontation with Islamic State.Vowing to provide all necessary support, foreign ministers from the league met in Cairo to endorse international action against the Islamist army, which has conquered territories throughout eastern Syria and northern Iraq. The Arab League also condemned Islamic State as a corrupt, immoral enterprise engaging in crimes against humanity.The group has reportedly killed thousands of civilians.Consequentially, the Arab League also endorsed a United Nations Security Council resolution passed last month that aims to stem the flow of military equipment to extremists operating in Iraq and Syria. Member states of the league have openly armed various groups in Syria throughout the civil war there since it began in 2011.While a draft resolution proposed by Baghdad made explicit reference to the US air assault, the final text adopted by the league did not specifically endorse the coalition campaign against Islamic State.
The wording, however, clearly offered Arab cooperation to US and Iraqi efforts, and is read as a tacit agreement to back Washington’s campaign against the group, officials said in Cairo.Michael Wilner contributed to this report.