JERUSALEM — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his Japanese counterpart, Shinzo Abe, spoke here Monday of their shared commitment to peace and regional security, yet diverged in the hot-button issues they chose to flag as obstacles to realizing common goals.
Netanyahu underscored the Iranian nuclear threat as the most daunting challenge and warned against making the same diplomatic mistakes of diplomacy that permitted North Korea to obtain nuclear weapons.
Abe opted to highlight the two-state solution for Israel and Palestine, respectfully exhorting his host against further construction in disputed areas of the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
In a commentary published Monday in Yediot Ahronot, Israel's largest Hebrew daily, the Japanese leader acknowledged the importance of nuclear nonproliferation in a region that provides a large portion of the world's energy needs.
Nevertheless, in his essay titled "Advice From a True Friend," Abe flagged his more immediate concern about the collapse of talks between Israel and the Palestine Authority (PA).
"Since the halt in direct negotiations last year there was another round war of combat in Gaza and riots in the West Bank and Jerusalem that have adversely influenced the peace process in the Middle East and brought us to the current situation. I'm concerned about this," Abe wrote.
He noted that Japan has invested extensively in economic assistance to the Palestinians over many years, and continues to invest in confidence-building efforts aimed at encouraging the resumption of "serious" peace talks.
While Abe insisted he was completely opposed to boycotts and sanctions targeting either side of the conflict, he intimated the Israel's continued settlement policies could trigger its international isolation.
"As a true friend, I want to offer advice on the matter of building in the settlements, which is considered in the world as a violation of international law.
"I understand that this involves ideology on the Israeli side, but I reckon it would be worthwhile for Israel to carefully consider this policy in order to create a positive climate for dialogue," Abe wrote.
In joint public remarks prior to closed-door meetings in Jerusalem, Abe noted that he would be visiting "Palestine" on Tuesday with his own advice for PA President Mahmoud Abbas.
"As a genuine friend, I might offer advice that may not be easy to swallow to both of the parties," he noted.
Netanyahu, in his remarks, said Israel "seeks peace with all its neighbors," but that "peace and security are intertwined." As such, Israel remains "adamant" in its right to self-defense.
Aside from a cryptic reference to Palestinian claims against Israel registered with the International Criminal Court (ICC), the Israeli leader did not mention the PA, Abbas or the two-state solution.
"We will not have our hands tied by anyone, including the ICC. We will do what is necessary to defend ourselves wherever we need to do so."
Instead, he focused on Iran. "There's no greater threat to the peace and security of the world than Iran's relentless pursuit of nuclear weapons," Netanyahu said.
Warning of "horrific results if the Islamic extremists who rule Iran get their hands on nuclear weapons," Netanyahu exhorted against a diplomatic deal with Iran if it that failed to internalize lessons from North Korea.
"That agreement with Pyongyang in 1994 was widely celebrated as a historic breakthrough for nonproliferation. But in the end, that deal failed to prevent the dangerous proliferation that threatens all of East Asia today," Netanyahu said.
Until a deal is reached that dismantles Tehran's nuclear capability, Netanyahu insisted that international sanctions must be maintained. "Iran cannot be allowed to travel the road taken by North Korea."
Email: bopallrome@defensenews.com.
Opall-Rome is Israel bureau chief for Defense News. She has been covering U.S.-Israel strategic cooperation, Mideast security and missile defense since May 1988. She lives north of Tel Aviv. Visit her website at www.opall-rome.com.
