Israel cannot cede self-defence: Netanyahu

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that his country cannot surrender its right to self defence to others, with visiting US President Barack Obama re-assuring his enduring support for the security of the Jewish State. "Today we have both the right and the capability to defend ourselves. As you said earlier today, the essence of the State of Israel, the essence of the rebirth of the Jewish state, is the fulfilment of the age-old dream of the Jewish people: to be masters of our fate in our own state," Netanyahu said. "That is why I know that you appreciate that Israel never cede the right to defend ourselves to others, even to the greatest of our friends, and Israel has no better friend than the United States of America", said Netanyahu, whose frosty relations with Obama have been an issue of widespread discussion in media, stressed. "Thank you for unequivocally affirming Israel's sovereign right to defend itself by itself against any threat," the right-wing Israeli leader added. The Israeli leader sought United States' cooperation in dealing with the Iranian threat which he described as "an existential threat to Israel" and a great threat to the peace and security of the world. Obama re-iterated his country's commitment to the security of Israel "as a solemn obligation" that is "non-negotiable". The US President also told reporters that he had directed his team to start working on extending the military assistance to Isreal beyond 2017 when the current agreement ends. "I am also pleased to announce that we will take steps to ensure that there is no interruption of funding for Iron Dome," Obama said. "As a result of decisions that I made last year Israel will receive approximately USD 200 million this fiscal year and we will continue to work with Congress on future funding of Iron Dome," he noted. "These are further reminders that we will help to preserve Israel's qualitative military edge so that Israel can defend itself by itself against any threat," the US President asserted. Appreciating the US President's role in mobilising international sanctions against Iran and clear assertion to prevent it from going nuclear, Netanyahu applauded Obama for earlier describing the creation of the Jewish state "the greatest redemption in history".