PM: Iran arms race is runaway train

Netanyahu tells FADC Israel still awaiting Hamas answer on prisoner deal offer.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Netanyahu spreads arms 311 (photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimski)
Netanyahu spreads arms 311
(photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimski)
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Tuesday addressed the state ofaffairs on Iranian sanctions, or lack thereof, and briefed members ofthe Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee on the latestdevelopments on negotiations toward a prisoner swap with Hamas.
“TheIranian [arms] train is travelling fast compared to the advancement ofthe international community, which is more like a faltering car,”Netanyahu explained with a metaphor. “That notwithstanding, there issignificant progress in the international community’s understanding ofthe nature of [Iran’s] nuclear program.”
“There is politicalprogress toward sanctions in the world,” he continued, addressing theissue of the main pertinent country objecting to sanctioning Teheran.“China is interested in strengthening cooperation with Israel, andthere is a wide spectrum of topics for cooperation between Beijing andJerusalem. China is part of our efforts on Iran.”
Netanyahuthen spoke of the threat of missiles from the Palestinian Authority, hitting out at opposition head Tzipi Livni in the process. “I see that for youpaper is enough to ensure that missiles won’t enter the Palestinianterritories. I was elected to make sure that things happen,” he said toLivni.
“If it’s about what the public chose, political decencywould necessitate you acting after the elections based on what youpromised beforehand,” Livni countered. 
Netanyahu also commented on the possibility of proceeding with aprisoner swap with Hamas to secure the release of captured IDF soldier Gilad Schalit.
According to the premier, Israelrelayed its proposal to Hamas via the German mediator some three monthsago, and was still waiting for the terror group’s response. Netanyahustressed that Israel had learned its lesson from previous prisonerswaps, and would ensure that terrorists released in such a deal won’t beable to return to terrorist activities against Israelis.