Share
Email
PrintLieberman to Iran: Change regime
Israel’s strategic affairs minister urged Iranians to choose a more moderate government.
Avigdor Lieberman appeared on Israel Radio’s Farsi service late Monday, taking questions from Iranian listeners.
Lieberman said he believes international diplomatic pressure could curb Iran’s attempts to attain a nuclear bomb, and that now is not the time for preventive military strikes by Israel or the United States.
“I don’t think a military solution is the right way to go at this point in time,” Lieberman said. “The most effective way to stop the Iranian nuclear program is through economic sanctions. Such was the case with Libya and Korea.”
He drew a distinction between Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who is virulently anti-Israel, and the Iranian public, voicing hope for renewed bilateral ties once the regime in Tehran is gone.
“I hope that the extremist leadership of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will be replaced by a leadership that cares about the Iranian people,” Lieberman said.
“We want to cooperate with Iranians, in contrast to Ahmadinejad, who wants to wipe Israel off the map,” he added. ” I therefore suggest to the citizens of Iran that next time they go vote, they think hard about who they are voting for."
Click to login and write a letter to the editor or sign up for the Daily Briefing.
This article was made possible by the support of readers like you. Donate to JTA now.
Featured Content
Need to know? Get JTA's free e-newsletters!
- Citing Palestinian conflict, rocker Cat Power cancels Tel Aviv show
- Jewish groups praise Obama contraceptives compromise
- Holder: U.S. urged Israel not to release killers of Americans
- Turkish FM: We will never endorse striking Iran
- Israeli missile defense test a ‘milestone’
- Sarkozy: Iran solution should be non-military
- Marines’ SS photo condemned by Jewish groups
- Grandson of Auschwitz survivor takes the ice for Germany
