President Obama criticized over Israel ‘noise’ comment VIDEO
US president says he understands Israeli PM’s ‘insistence’ to prevent Iran from becoming nuclear but stresses ‘when it comes to our national security any pressure I feel is to do what’s right for the American people.
In an interview with CBS’ “60 Minutes” that aired Sunday, the president addressed the crisis between Washington and Jerusalem over the handling of the Iranian nuclear issue. Obama stressed he feels “an obligation, not pressure” to coordinate with Israel.
“When it comes to our national security decisions, any pressure that I feel is simply to do what’s right for the American people and I am going to block out any noise that’s out there.”
In the interview, Obama defended his foreign policy record at a time of anti-American rage in the Muslim world, firing back at suggestions from Republican nominee Mitt Romney that the president has been weak with allies and enemies alike.
“If Gov. Romney is suggesting that we should start another war, he should say so,” he told CBS.
Critics are also asking for the President to clarify is “One of our allies” in the Middle East comment, wanting to know who else he considers an ally given the chaos in the Middle East.
President Barack Obama talking with Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli Prime Minister photo/Pete Souza, official White House photographer
STEVE KROFT, “60 Minutes” correspondent: How much pressure have you been getting from Prime Minister Netanyahu to make up your mind to use military force in Iran?
PRESIDENT OBAMA: Well, look, I have conversations with Prime Minister Netanyahu all the time. And I understand and share Prime Minister Netanyahu’s insistence that Iran should not obtain a nuclear weapon because it would threaten us, it would threaten Israel and it would threaten the world and kick off a nuclear arms race.
Kroft: You don’t feel any pressure from Prime Minister Netanyahu in the middle of a campaign to try and get you to change your policy and draw a line in the sand? You don’t feel any pressure?
Obama: When it comes to our national security decisions, any pressure that I feel is simply to do what’s right for the American people. And I am going to block out any noise that’s out there. Now I feel an obligation, not pressure but obligation, to make sure that we’re in close consultation with the Israelis on these issues because it affects them deeply. They’re one of our closest allies in the region. And we’ve got an Iranian regime that has said horrible things that directly threaten Israel’s existence.
