Israeli FM discusses need to tighten Iran sanctions with French, UK leaders

“The struggle between law-abiding democracies and murderous terrorist organizations is not a struggle between narratives. It is a struggle between good and evil”, said Lapid

Israeli FM discusses need to tighten Iran sanctions with French, UK leaders

Photo taken from MFA website. Credit: Quentin Crestinu

Minister of Foreign Affairs Yair Lapid met yesterday (Tuesday) with the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, and the two discussed at length the resumption of talks with Iran. Lapid reiterated the Israeli position that Iran is trying to buy time in order to move forward with its nuclear program, the immediate need for the strengthening of sanctions, and the urgent need for a Plan B. 

“Sanctions on Iran must not be lifted. Sanctions need to be tightened, there needs to be a credible military threat on Iran, because only this will prevent it from continuing its race towards a nuclear weapon. That race did not stop here, and it did not stop with the talks in Vienna,” said Lapid.

Lapid and Macron also discussed bilateral relations between their two countries and possibilities for expanding and deepening cooperation in security, economic, and other areas.

The previous day, Lapid met in London with UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, and with Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, Elizabeth Truss.

“The struggle between law-abiding democracies and murderous terrorist organizations is not a struggle between narratives. It is a struggle between good and evil. Too many people have come to the conclusion that the strong are always wrong, and the weak are always right,” said Lapid, with Johnson by his side.  

“The new Iranian president, ‘The Butcher of Teheran,’ who has sentenced thousands to death, said in his first speech: ‘I have always defended human rights,’”, continued the Israeli Foreign Minister. “The terrorists of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, who slaughtered children sleeping in their beds in Israel, claim to be ‘freedom fighters.’

“Hezbollah members, active accomplices in the murder of half a million Syrian citizens, speak of ‘tolerance.’ They assume that people of democratic societies will remain mute in face of their holy words. We must prove them wrong. Not all ideas are equal. Not all ideas are worthy of respect.”

In a joint statement with Secretary Truss, following the signing of an MoU between Israel and the UK for strategic cooperation, Lapid said: “I know we are committed to the same goal - that Iran will not be able to acquire nuclear weapons…The world must prevent it, and it can prevent it. Tighten sanctions. Tighten supervision. Conduct the discourse from a position of power.”