Israel's Peres says Obama critics seek to destabilize ties
- 8 years ago
Former Israeli president Shimon Peres on Thursday chided critics of US President Barack Obama's administration, accusing them of working to worsen the relationship between the two countries, the Jerusalem Post reports.
Peres spoke a day after Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman attended an unveiling ceremony for the US-made F-35 fighter jet.
Israel has ordered dozens of the new fighter jet.
"Those who question Obama's friendship should look and see if they gave such a plane to any other country . . . it wouldn't hurt us to say thank you once in a while," said the ex-president.
The Obama White House and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have frequently been at loggerheads over a wide range of issues, particularly Iran's nuclear program and Jewish settlements in the West Bank – although both sides often make a point of saying that their differences are exaggerated.
Peres spoke a day after Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman attended an unveiling ceremony for the US-made F-35 fighter jet.
Israel has ordered dozens of the new fighter jet.
"Those who question Obama's friendship should look and see if they gave such a plane to any other country . . . it wouldn't hurt us to say thank you once in a while," said the ex-president.
The Obama White House and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have frequently been at loggerheads over a wide range of issues, particularly Iran's nuclear program and Jewish settlements in the West Bank – although both sides often make a point of saying that their differences are exaggerated.