U.S. Senator John Kerry, a Democrat and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman, said following talks with Netanyahu that he was encouraged by a number of things the Israeli leader said.
Kerry said he had stressed to Netanyahu the importance of Israel moving
forward, especially in respect to the settlements issue. But Kerry said he also told the Israeli that the issue was not a one-way street and that Arab steps toward joining the regional road map to peace were also critical.
The prime minister summed up his visit to the Senate and Congress, saying that Israel and the United States see eye-to-eye on the need to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon. "I was assured by President Obama yesterday that the US is committed to preventing that from happening," Netanyahu said.
"The other important issue is the peace process. I said that we are ready to begin negotiations immediately, and to bring other Arab nations into the fold. President Obama has also said that the Palestinians and the Arab nations must do their part for the peace process. This is important progress," the prime minister said on his way to meet with US Defense Secretary Robert Gates at the Pentagon.
"We intend to pursue the peace track independent of what happens in Iran," Netanyahu said, adding that "in point of fact, it should be done in parallel."
Netanyahu said that Israel and its neighbors recognize the threat from Iran, and noted that "I was assured by President Obama yesterday that the U.S. is committed to preventing that from happening".
