Thursday, April 30, 2009

Obama advisor Summers: Netanyahu to get warm welcome

(Globes).White House National Economic Council Director Lawrence Summers praised Israel's economy at an Independence Day reception hosted by the Israeli Embassy in Washington yesterday. Summers represented the Obama administration at the event.

Summers said that he "comes from the world of economics" and noted that the Israeli economy had made extraordinary achievements since independence, especially given the wars and constant threats with which the country must cope with.

Summers added that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu can expect a warm welcome during his upcoming visit to the White House in May. Summers said that economics will be one of the topics on the agenda. The Obama administration's efforts to achieve an Israeli-Palestinian peace will top the agenda, but Summers said that this was not a case of peace at any price, but peace that would not reward terrorism and which would be in line with Israel's security. He reiterated President Barack Obama's commitment to Israel's security.