Israeli leaders on Wednesday congratulated on Barack Obama's victory in the U.S. presidential elections, highlighting the shared interests and close relationship between the two countries.
The outgoing Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said in a statement that "The special Israel-U.S. relationship is based on shared values and interests and is characterized by ties of close cooperation.
He said "Israel and the United States have a common desire to advance peace and stability in the Middle East."
Israeli President Shimon Peres wished Obama to "be a great president" of the United States, who will have great promise for Israel and for the entire region.
Israeli Kadima chairwoman and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni showed her keen desire "to continued close strategic cooperation with the new administration, the new president and the U.S. Congress, in order to continue to strengthen the lasting special relationship between our two countries."
Opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu said Obama's victory represented an historic change for America, adding "I am sure the new president will be able to bring peace to our region."
Member of Knesset (MK) Ophir Pines-Pas urged Obama to involve himself with the peace process immediately at the start of his term.
In June, the remarks that Obama made "Jerusalem will remain the capital of Israel and it must remain undivided" gained strong sympathies in Israel but angered the Palestinians.
Later he changed his attitude, saying the city's status must be agreed in negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians.
During a visit to Israeli southern town of Sderot in July, Obama said that as president he would not force Israel into making concessions that would put the country in danger for the sake of the peace process.
Other Israeli lawmakers praised Obama's election as a victory against racism.
"This is a victory that arouses hope in all black people in the world and in Israel. I am full of hope that Israel won't wait 400 years for equality." MK Shlomo Moula (Kadima), an Ethiopian immigrant to Israel was quoted by the website of local daily Ha'aretz as saying.
Israeli Arab MK Ahmed Tibi called Obama's victory a "defeat of racism."
He said the American people have proven their grandness and have headed out on the dawn of a new day and a new world. "We must always remember, only in the darkness can one see the stars."
MK Yuval Steinitz (Likud) said that Obama has already proven his "friendship to Israel... and his uncompromising commitment to curbing Iran's nuclear program."
Obama has said that the entire world must act to thwart Iran's nuclear ambitions. "A nuclear Iran would pose a grave threat and the world must prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon."
Source: Xinhua
|
Comment
Tell A Friend
Print Format
Save Article