I think Iran represents, when you look at Israel’s strategic situation,
the main threat to Israel because Iran consists of more than one threat.
The most dangerous threat, if it is realized, is an existential threat to
Israel, i.e. a nuclear (armed) Iran, and we must make every effort
to prevent Iran from crossing the nuclear threshold and Iran
is striving to that end. The second threat is, of course,
its support of organizations such as Hamas, Hezbollah of course,
and the dissemination of terror, weapons, advanced
missile technology. So, I have no doubt
that Iran should be, and is certainly defined as
the number one threat to Israel’s national security.
I think that our policy should be founded on three pillars.
The first one needs to be dialogue of a professional and intimate nature
with our closest friend (U.S.) and when we sit down with them,
we should define the Israeli interests, priorities, concerns and reach
an understanding with the new administration in the United States.
The other thing, Amos, I think we both understand, maybe
the viewers need an explanation, we must simultaneously preserve
a reliable military option on the table.
I adhere to the school of thought whereby, with regard to existential
threats, Israel needs to trust itself. Of course, try an ask its friends
for help, but in the absence of such an option on the table,
it will be difficult to achieve anything.
The third thing, we need to convince the United States that a nuclear
armed Iran, while striving for regional hegemony, threatens the stability
and security, not only of Israel, but the entire region.
In this regard, I think that the latest developments, the peace accords
and normalization, enhance the region’s voice and significance
when we speak to the new administration.
I rather have the impression that not much will remain of Donald
Trump's policy of the last four years with a president like Joe Biden.
We certainly can't expect that everything will be undone
but the central points regarding the transatlantic relationship,
how the United States acts on the international stage, returning
to the Paris Climate Agreement and the World Health Organization,
the readiness to return to the nuclear agreement with Iran - those are all
fundamental changes compared with the last four years.