Israel: the only true defense Europe has against radical Islam, Netanyahu says

JERUSALEM POST – Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday called on the European Union to “cease pressuring and attacking Israel…which is the only true defense that Europe has against the rising tide of radical Islam.”

The premier made the remarks as he was boarding his flight to the United Kingdom, where he is due to meet with his counterpart, David Cameron, at 10 Downing Street in London.

“We are ready to act together with Europe in Africa and other places to fight extremist Islam, but this requires a change in attitude,” Netanyahu said. “This change will take time, but we will put it into practice.”

Netanyahu said that this issue will be “the focus” of his discussions with Cameron.

“We need to fight radical Islam not just within our borders, as we have been doing, but also within our territories,” he said. “Once I return to Israel, I will hold an additional wrap-up meeting that will deal with reinforcing our security presence, bolstering enforcement of laws, instituting minimum penalties, destroying the homes of suicide bombers, and other steps that we are determined to carry out against anyone who tries to do us harm from within Israel.”

“My policy is one of zero tolerance of terrorism, and that is what we will do,” Netanyahu said.

Netanyahu on Monday told European Council President Donald Tusk that the EU must stop pressuring Israel to enter dangerous agreements that threaten the future of the Jewish state.

Europe “seeks to unilaterally press Israel into agreements that will endanger our very existence and therefore your very defense,” Netanyahu publicly told visiting European Council President Donald Tusk prior to holding a private discussion with him.

Netanyahu said he was glad to see Tusk both as a representative of the EU and as a personal friend.

“I’ve known you for many years. You’ve been a great friend of Israel, of the Jewish people, and may I say of me personally,” Netanyahu told Tusk.

“We welcome Europe,” said Netanyahu, before quipping in an off-the-cuff remark, “Does Europe welcome Israel?”

Netanyahu told Tusk he hoped that together they could find a way to improve relations between Israel and Europe.