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Last update - 17:29 06/05/2009
Peres to Obama: No choice but to compare Iran to Nazis
By Natasha Mozgovaya, Haaretz Correspondent
Tags: Shimon Peres, Hillary Clinton 

The world has no choice but to compare the threat posed by Iran now to that of Nazi Germany before the Second World War, President Shimon Peres told U.S. President Barack Obama in Washington on Tuesday.

"Iran is a threat not just to Israel, but to the whole world. As Jews, after being subjected to the Holocaust, we cannot close our eyes in light of the grave danger emerging from Iran," Peres said.

"If Europe had dealt seriously with Hitler at that time, the terrible Holocaust and the loss of millions of people could have been avoided. We can't help but make the comparison."
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Peres added, however, that Israel must support Obama's efforts to engage Iran diplomatically over its contentious nuclear program. "We should be loyal supporters... If it will succeed, it can be the best thing."

"I told [Obama] that a great change has begun, because today most of the Sunni world does not see the problem as Israel, but Iran," the president told reporters.

He added that Israel is prepared to negotiate a peace settlement with Syria and the Palestinians, adding that the benefits of the process would outweigh the risks.

"[Israel] is ready for negotiations with the Palestinians, with the Syrians," Peres told reporters after his talks with Obama at the White House. "I believe this is an opportunity that is not worth forfeiting."

"I can't say there won't be difficulties, but it would be a serious mistake not to take advantage of the opportunity," Peres said.

The meeting between Peres and Obama, which was scheduled for 20 minutes, stretched to 40. "At the end, the two of us spoke alone for 15 minutes."

After their meeting, the White House released a statement saying: "The President appreciated the opportunity to welcome President Peres, in recognition of the enduring friendship between the United States and Israel.

"The two presidents exchanged views on the opportunities and challenges, including the pursuit of a comprehensive peace in the Middle East and Iran's nuclear program... [and] achieving our countries' shared goal of peace and security for Israel and all of its neighbors. The President looks forward to his meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu later this month."

For the first part of the Obama-Peres meeting, National Security Adviser Jim Jones was also present, along with the White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel and the head of the Middle East desk of the National Security Council, Dan Shapiro.

Peres later said the American president pledged that Israel's security was and would remain a top priority fort the United States.

He said Obama told him he believed they could work together in a pragmatic and positive way.

Peres said that since Netanyahu's election, he has not heard the prime minister express himself against a two-state solution. "I believe Netanyahu is seeking a historic peace; I say this from conversations I have had with him."

Peres also said he told Obama that Netanyahu would respect agreements signed by his predecessors.

When asked whether he thought the American administration was tending toward the Arab world at Israel's expense, he said: "It's not that they are for the Palestinians and we are against them," Peres told Haaretz. "The prime minister has said specifically that he will respect the obligations of his predecessors, with everything that implies ¬ settlements, the road map and the continuation of the peace process. He has said he does not want to rule the Palestinians."

Peres tells Clinton: Israel won't give U.S. ultimatums

Peres told U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton earlier Tuesday that Israel did not oppose the Obama administration's overtures to Iran.

"I said if you want diplomacy, I hope you succeed. Israel is not delivering ultimatums to America," Peres told Haaretz following his talks with Clinton.

"Iran will not get atomic weapons, but we cannot look just at the clock. Whoever wants to set a timetable on Iran is working on the assumption that the situation is frozen. The situation is constantly changing and [Iranian President Mahmoud] Ahmadinejad is dividing the Muslim world."

With regard to Hamas leader Khaled Meshal's interview with the New York Times published on Tuesday, in which the group's exiled official vowed to take part in the U.S.' solution for Middle East peace, Peres said:

"I told the secretary of state that the Hamas problem now belongs to Egypt, Abu Mazen [Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas], Palestinians, basically the whole Sunni world. I told her that difference between Hamas and Fatah is not political, but fundamental.

"Fatah is a political movement and Hamas is religious. A political movement knows it needs to make compromises. A political movement has a deadline and a religious movement has eternity. A political movement knows that it can't both fire and conduct negotiations, but a religious movement does not follow this logic."

Peres told Haaretz that he would not "exaggerate and say" that his talks with Clinton were "outstanding," but added: "I found no contradiction in stance between the secretary of state and [Israel]."

"When taking into count all of our strategic assets, the number one asset is Israel's relations with the U.S.," he said.

Peres, who arrived in Washington on Sunday, also met with U.S. Senator John Kerry and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi during his visit.

Related articles:
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  • Biden tells AIPAC: Israel must support two-state solution
  • Lieberman: Take action against Iran if no talks in three months
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      1.   Peres - a Veteran of the Game Known as Politics 19:36  |  Eli 05/05/09
      2.   Ah, but did Clinton say the US won`t give Israel ultimatums? 20:26  |  Raymond in DC 05/05/09
      3.   Just look at the clock! 21:21  |  Realist 05/05/09
      4.   Who`s In Charge? 21:23  |  Binyamin 05/05/09
      5.   Good for Israel 21:26  |  Rafael 05/05/09
      6.   Israeli (Napolean) complex? 22:25  |  Jamshid 05/05/09
      7.   peres and religion 23:07  |  moonen 05/05/09
      8.   #1 Eli. `Good` politicians like `good` lawyers... 23:35  |  Maureen Ann 05/05/09
      9.   #7 Moonen 23:49  |  tbart 05/05/09
      10.   Peres to Obama 23:51  |  Barron 05/05/09
      11.   Peres 00:07  |  Michael 06/05/09
      12.   #6 Jamshid 00:15  |  Marc 06/05/09
      13.   What kind of movement is Israel? 00:29  |  Axel 06/05/09
      14.   Comparison to Nazi... complete hyperbolic nonsesnse. 01:02  |  Victor 06/05/09
      15.   Compare Iran to Nazis? 01:31  |  Lou Medel 06/05/09
      16.   IF IRAN IS LIKE NATZI GERMANY... 01:34  |  Aaron 06/05/09
      17.   so it was for Saddam 01:42  |  bored 06/05/09
      18.   Compare Iran to Nazi??? 01:47  |  Robin 06/05/09
      19.   Peres succumbs to Godwin`s law! 02:06  |  Rod 06/05/09
      20.   The hypocrisy is just mind-boggling! 02:20  |  Johnboy 06/05/09
      21.   Hah! The Ol` Man is On A Roll! 02:28  |  Johnboy 06/05/09
      22.   Disservice 02:32  |  Bazmann 06/05/09
      23.   Trust Iran, don`t trust Israel 02:37  |  Harold 06/05/09
      24.   OBAMA IS LAUGHING (INSIDE) 02:39  |  indrajaya 06/05/09
      25.   Jamshid the US didn`t support Israel until the late 1960`s 02:47  |  GZLives 06/05/09
      26.   jamshid 03:02  |  ehud 06/05/09
      27.   Enough WW II Analogies! 03:40  |  Mark of Lewiston 06/05/09
      28.   HAROLD 04:17  |  OZ 06/05/09
      29.   There you go again. 04:58  |  paul white 06/05/09
      30.   If Peres says his talks with Clinton were "not outstanding" 05:10  |  Fortuna Benmayor 06/05/09
      31.   Harold...you will trust Israel as soon as Iran strikes your 05:13  |  Maria 06/05/09
      32.   Iranian General Confirms Goal is Genocide 05:16  |  MichaelF 06/05/09
      33.   If Iran = Nazis, that makes Obama = Chamberlain 05:16  |  Arik Silverman 06/05/09
      34.   Are there any respectable countries besides Israel in ME? 05:20  |  LetUsHearTheTruth 06/05/09
      35.   HE IS HIDING SOMETHING 05:23  |  indrajaya 06/05/09
      36.   #7 - moonen 05:33  |  MichaelF 06/05/09
      37.   Dangerous comparison 05:51  |  Jorge 06/05/09
      38.   Pere is for a change right 06:02  |  Baruch Gold 06/05/09
      39.   wordgames 06:07  |  rm 06/05/09
      40.   Peres:"I believe Netanyahu is seaking a historic peace" 06:29  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 06/05/09
      41.   Peres:"Israel is not delivering ultimatums to America" 06:35  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 06/05/09
      42.   "compare the threat posed by Iran to Nazi Germany" 06:42  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 06/05/09
      43.   For realist, # 2, who thinks US will confront Iran 06:43  |  Fortuna Benmayor 06/05/09
      44.   Moonen 06:49  |  Jasper 06/05/09
      45.   SPEAK FOR URSELF ISRAEL... 06:58  |  Jahlil 06/05/09
      46.   Peres: Your statement is ridiculous 07:04  |  Socialist 06/05/09
      47.   The Dangers of Shallow Historical Comparisons 07:14  |  Just a guy 06/05/09
      48.   The problem of interpretations runs very deep in the ME 07:16  |  Kris Lazar 06/05/09
      49.   Enough WW II Analogies! 07:23  |  Mark of Lewiston 06/05/09
      50.   peres seems to be speaking out out of turn? 07:27  |  eric 06/05/09
      51.   To Maria 07:29  |  Suspicious 06/05/09
      52.   Paul White: Where have you been? talk a long look at the past few 08:01  |  Jae 06/05/09
      53.   Indrajaya #18- youre paranoia is obstructing your rational side 08:05  |  Jae 06/05/09
      54.   Iran isnt mad because of MAD 08:06  |  Ola 06/05/09
      55.   Peres is full of hot air... 08:34  |  Dutch 06/05/09
      56.   Pots and kettles 08:35  |  Rod 06/05/09
      57.   Peres wasted Obama time 08:51  |  Sorin 06/05/09
      58.   Jae #23 08:52  |  Ari ben Yisrael 06/05/09
      59.   The First Israeli Astronut 08:58  |  Natan 06/05/09
      60.   Stunning hypocrisy from The Old Guy. 09:02  |  Johnboy 06/05/09
      61.   Shimon Peres (Israel) is walking a very thin line here....... 09:11  |  Swiss (Dino) 06/05/09
      62.   EXACTLY like the Nazis! Summary "justice"& executions 09:13  |  PETER SM 06/05/09
      63.   Israels leadership is in disarray 09:20  |  Natallie Durson 06/05/09
      64.   lunacy from perez 09:26  |  lincoln 06/05/09
      65.   #32, Mark of Lewiston 09:40  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 06/05/09
      66.   There is only one sort of people who will buy this 09:43  |  Mark B. 06/05/09
      67.   nursing home 09:48  |  sal 06/05/09
      68.   Israeli threat to the Palestinians 10:13  |  Osama 06/05/09
      69.   52 Cipora - Only Post Bush 10:15  |  Mark of Lewiston 06/05/09
      70.   Johnboy 10:26  |  TonyL 06/05/09
      71.   Arab peace initiative is first and basic 10:34  |  Zaina Kayed Shehab 06/05/09
      72.   #56, Durson 10:40  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 06/05/09
      73.   Words of wisdom. Seldom seen. 10:42  |  Stephen. 06/05/09
      74.   #7 Moonen - You get the prize 10:51  |  Scott G 06/05/09
      75.   #6.Jamshid of Tehran. 11:01  |  Stephen. 06/05/09
      76.   #55.Dino. 11:12  |  Stephen. 06/05/09
      77.   the financial times 11:22  |  samuel the seer 06/05/09
      78.   martin wolf at the ft 11:25  |  samuel the seer 06/05/09
      79.   the jews in the usa 11:31  |  samuel the seer 06/05/09
      80.   re:#10 EXCELLENT POINT AARON! 11:35  |  p.man 06/05/09
      81.   Peres can`t help himself 11:36  |  Roo 06/05/09
      82.   gideon rachman of the ft 11:43  |  samuel the seer 06/05/09
      83.   Enough Already!!! 11:45  |  MB 06/05/09
      84.   the israeli ambassador in spain 11:49  |  samuel the seer 06/05/09
      85.   "gaza militants fire mortar at israel" says haaretz 12:04  |  samuel the seer 06/05/09
      86.   Nuttalie #57 - No, you are in disarray 12:04  |  Mongo 06/05/09
      87.   # 69 re FT 12:08  |  Barry 06/05/09
      88.   Peres can`t help himself 12:12  |  Roo 06/05/09
      89.   samuel the seer or just a regular schlemiel?#69-71 12:37  |  Roo 06/05/09
      90.   Compare Iran to Nazis by the president... 12:47  |  Anne 06/05/09
      91.   What was that, TonyL from the Bay? 12:52  |  Murray 06/05/09
      92.   Roo 12:54  |  TonyL 06/05/09
      93.   roo the ft and jewish writers 13:06  |  samuel the seer 06/05/09
      94.   roo nouriel roubini is jewish 13:08  |  samuel the seer 06/05/09
      95.   #86, Anne 13:11  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 06/05/09
      96.   # 72 Stephen 13:16  |  Swiss (Dino) 06/05/09
      97.   Peres comments are disrespectful to the victims of nazism 13:16  |  Lewis 06/05/09
      98.   roo the jews in the usa have a median iq of 115 13:17  |  samuel the seer 06/05/09
      99.   roo "other economists" 13:25  |  samuel the seer 06/05/09
      100.   #96, Dino, which is the greatest insult 13:32  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 06/05/09
      101.   tony you are no friend but i agree with you 13:34  |  samuel the seer 06/05/09
      102.   roo on martin wolf 13:49  |  samuel the seer 06/05/09
      103.   finally roo do you deny that the jews are 13:51  |  samuel the seer 06/05/09
      104.   Peres doesn`t go and see Obama with ideas for Peace 14:07  |  Chris Linthwaite 06/05/09
      105.   #79, samuel the seer 14:09  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 06/05/09
      106.   IRAN=NAZIS????? 14:23  |  LITO 06/05/09
      107.   #.96. Dino. 14:26  |  Stephen. 06/05/09
      108.   #70 It all flies over your head, doesn`t it, TonyL 14:34  |  Johnboy 06/05/09
      109.   Off topic 14:35  |  Peter 06/05/09
      110.   Iran... Nazi??? 15:38  |  Non-Arab Saudi 06/05/09
      111.   # 107 Stephen / # 100 Cipora, according to the article.... 15:43  |  Swiss (Dino) 06/05/09
      112.   Baloney 15:52  |  Giora Me`ir 06/05/09
      113.   With friends like this, you don`t need enemies 15:56  |  Anonymous 06/05/09
      114.   Does Turkey compare Iran to Nazis 16:11  |  Anonymous 06/05/09
      115.   The oven and showers .... 16:14  |  Jasper 06/05/09
      116.   Aaron 16:16  |  oz 06/05/09
      117.   #112, yes! And an insult to intelligence too! 16:18  |  fritz t. 06/05/09
      118.   johnboy 16:23  |  ehud 06/05/09
      119.   The New Middle East 16:27  |  The Perescope 06/05/09
      120.   samuel the schlemiel aka harzion 16:31  |  Roo 06/05/09
      121.   # 95 Cipora to Anne 16:35  |  Anne 06/05/09
      122.   mark of lewiston 16:45  |  ehud 06/05/09
      123.   roo cut the name calling give me arguments 17:02  |  samuel the seer 06/05/09
      124.   # 69 17:04  |  udi 06/05/09
      125.   roo on samuel brittan 17:05  |  samuel the seer 06/05/09
      126.   an insult to victims of Shoah 17:19  |  Bahram 06/05/09
      127.   #16 aaron begs the question and gets the wrong answer 17:24  |  vhardman 06/05/09
      128.   we frequently have accusations about american jews 17:38  |  samuel the seer 06/05/09
      129.   Israel`s woes 17:49  |  Uetliberg 06/05/09
      130.   israel should stop taking money from america 17:50  |  samuel the seer 06/05/09
      131.   World leaders are laughing at Peres 18:09  |  Harold 06/05/09
      132.   This Comparison Is Obscene 18:20  |  Yaakov Sullivan 06/05/09
      133.   Suspicious or Harold 18:30  |  Maria 06/05/09
      134.   To Eli #1 18:37  |  AH 06/05/09
      135.   I hope all the Jews all over the world will go back 18:50  |  MMM 06/05/09
      136.   #111.Dino. 19:23  |  Stephen. 06/05/09
      137.   samuel the schlemiel #123 Nobel Prize arguments 19:33  |  Roo 06/05/09
      138.   #130 Samuel the Seer 19:40  |  PCR 06/05/09
      139.   roo you have no knowledge of psychometrics 19:59  |  samuel the seer 06/05/09
      140.   roo no need to meander 20:02  |  samuel the seer 06/05/09
      141.   roo jewish cognitive ability 20:07  |  samuel the seer 06/05/09
      142.   roo "jews had a lower iq when first tested in the usa" 20:11  |  samuel the seer 06/05/09
      143.   samuel the schlemiel Bell Curve or Bell end? 01:33  |  Roo 07/05/09
      144.   perez..passive/aggressive 02:05  |  mike 07/05/09
      145.   Seering samuel, steer clear of "The Bell Curve" 02:23  |  Rod 07/05/09
      146.   to Yaakov Sullivan 03:20  |  bahram 07/05/09
      147.   #137 Roo 03:28  |  Not Quite 07/05/09
      148.   #137 Roo Continued 04:54  |  Not Quite 07/05/09
      149.   Not Quite, Samuel the Seer (!!!), & Roo 05:36  |  Persian Kitty 07/05/09
      150.   OBAMA GIVES ISRAEL ULTIMATUMS! 06:12  |  Jimmy 07/05/09
      151.   Remembering some things, forgetting others 08:35  |  Rod 07/05/09
      152.   samuel the schlemiel #139 *Bell Curve* author knows nothing about 10:39  |  Roo 07/05/09
      153.   Rod Interesting posts 10:46  |  Roo 07/05/09
      154.   No 16 10:46  |  Aron 07/05/09
      155.   samuel the schlemiel Bell Curve or Bell end? 10:49  |  Roo 07/05/09
      156.   Not Quite credible 11:38  |  Roo 07/05/09
      157.   Roo 21:23  |  Not Quite 07/05/09
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