FM Lapid with US Secretary of State Blinken at the MFA in Jerusalem . Photo: GPO/Shlomi Amsalem
FM Lapid: Israel will do anything we believe is needed to stop the Iranian nuclear program. Anything. From our point of view, the Iranian threat is not theoretical. The Iranians want to destroy Israel. They will not succeed. We will not let them.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Yair Lapid hosted today Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jerusalem. The two held a work meeting together with MFA Director-General Alon Ushpiz and senior Ministry officials in the Ministry’s situation room, where the Secretary of State also received a review of Israel’s assistance to Ukraine
During the review of Israel’s assistance, FM Lapid and Secretary Blinken were connected with the “Shining Star” field hospital in Ukraine, and Dr. Dudu Dagan, head of the hospital delegation, presented the hospital’s activity and provided a virtual tour for the Secretary of State.
Pediatrician Dr. Keren Shahar-Nissan told the Secretary of State about the treatment of child refugees of the war, and about the major challenges there.
Following the meeting, the two delivered statements to the press.
In a statement alongside Secretary of State Blinken, FM Lapid said:
“The relationship between our two countries is unbreakable. The United States is Israel’s closest friendship and strongest alliance. We share deeply held values and core interests. We share a vision of peace through strength.
“These days are a reminder of the fact that if you want peace, you must be able to defend it. Military and diplomatic strength isn’t an obstacle to peace – it is what guarantees peace.
“Iran is not an Israeli problem. The world cannot afford a nuclear Iran. The world cannot afford for the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps to continue spreading terror around the globe.
“We have disagreements about a nuclear agreement and its consequences, but open and honest dialogue is part of the strength of our friendship. Israel and the United States will continue to work together to prevent a nuclear Iran.
“At the same time, Israel will do anything we believe is needed to stop the Iranian nuclear program. Anything. From our point of view, the Iranian threat is not theoretical. The Iranians want to destroy Israel. They will not succeed. We will not let them.”