Itongadol.- Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu stressed Sunday that he would not diverge from his warnings against Iran\’s disputed nuclear ambitions.
In a trade of barbs with former prime minister Ehud Olmert over Netanyahu\’s criticism of the United States in light of the Iran issue, the premier, said in Rome, "Unlike others, when I see that the vital security interests of Israeli citizens are at stake, I will not shut up".
However, Netanyahu highlighted Israel\’s relations with the US. "We always remember that the US has been, remains and always will be Israel\’s greatest friend".
"It is very easy to keep quiet. It is easy to receive pats on the shoulder from the international community, to bow one\’s head, but I am committed to the security of my people," he stated. "I am committed to the future of my country, and in contrast to periods in the past, we have a loud and clear voice among the nations and we will make it heard in order to warn – in time – against dangers".
Earlier Sunday, former prime minister Ehud Olmert lashed out at Netanyhau\’s criticism of the nuclear deal reached between Iran and the world powers last Sunday.
Olmert compared Netanyahu\’s criticism of the US to a declaration of war, and he suggested a different approach to Israel\’s diplomatic role in preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.
"We have declared war on the US. That cannot be disputed," he said, adding that Israel needs to be kept from anything that might be interpreted as a "fight" with its closest ally.
Olmert was speaking at an Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) conference in Tel Aviv.
Olmert affirmed that a nuclear Iran was a threat to Israel but he said that Israel\’s role was not to not lead the struggle against the Islamic Republic\’s suspected nuclear weapons program.
Instead, Olmert stressed that Israel needs to make sure that the US is the nation that leads the struggle against Iran obtaining nuclear weapons.
Last month US President Barack Obama reportedly asked Netanyahu to "take a breather" from his vocal criticism of the interim deal signed in Geneva, The Washington Post reported.