Netanyahu tells U.S. Jews he won't allow nukes for Iran

NEW ORLEANS (RNS) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told
thousands of American Jewish leaders that Israel will not allow Iran to
acquire a nuclear weapon, and stands ready to negotiate a meaningful
peace with Palestinians, but only if they guarantee Israeli security.

Appearing before most of the 4,000 delegates at a meeting of the
Jewish Federations of North America, Netanyahu launched a broad defense
of his administration's policies in the Middle East, with Iran at the
center of Israel's threat radar.

He did not touch on Israel's continued settlement building in
disputed East Jerusalem, despite U.S. pleas for a halt because the U.S.
believes it complicates the peace process.

Netanyahu called a nuclear-armed Iran "the greatest threat to Israel
and the world." And while United Nations and U.S. sanctions have exerted
pressure on Iran, there is no sign Iran is ending its nuclear program,
he said.

"The simple paradox is this: If the international community, led by
the United States, hopes to stop Iran's nuclear program without resort
to military action, it will have to convince Iran it is prepared to take
such action," Netanyahu said.

Netanyahu also expressed a willingness to negotiate with Palestinian
authorities, but would not yield territory in return for a mere promise
of peace.

He said Israel would not vacate occupied ground, as it left Lebanon
in 2006, only to be subjected to rocket attacks from the vacated area.

"If Israel does not maintain a credible military and security
presence in the Jordan Valley for the foreseeable future, this is
exactly what will happen again," Netanyahu said. "And I will not let
that happen."

Netanyahu told the largely sympathetic crowd that Israel depends on
the American Jewish community to back its policies. Attendees responded
with repeated applause.

His address was interrupted five times by shouts from individuals
protesting the Israeli occupation and Israel's domestic security
policies. The protesters, from an organization called Jewish Voice for
Peace, were shouted down and quickly hustled out of the room by security
guards.