obituaries Netanyahu, Obama Discuss Iran I Raphael Ahren Times of Israel Washington, D. c. p resident Barack Obama assured Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Tuesday that the U.S. remains committed to preventing Iran from attaining nuclear weapons, is keeping the military option on the table and will not reduce sanctions unless or until it is clear that Iran is taking verifiable actions to match its purported willingness for prog- ress. Netanyahu, for his part, told the presi- dent he appreciated the reiteration of that commitment to stop Iran and advised that "sanctions should be strengthened" if Iran continues to move ahead toward the bomb. Significantly, Netanyahu demanded the full dismantling of Iran's "military nuclear" capacity and made plain that he did not believe President Hasan Rouhani's assur- ances that Iran constituted no threat to other nations. Iran, Netanyahu told Obama in their joint media appearance at the Oval Office, remains bent on the destruction of Israel. The two leaders, who spoke to the media after more than an hour of talks, gave the impression of being at ease with each other and closely coordinated. They shook hands more than once; Obama patted Netanyahu on the arm at times; and the Israeli prime minister smiled warmly at the president. Plainly, Netanyahu did not want to be perceived as an intransigent leader block- ing any chance of a diplomatic resolution to the Iranian nuclear standoff. Plainly, too, he was gratified to hear Obama stress that the option of military intervention to thwart Iran remains on the table — something the president did not cite in a specific Iranian context during his speech at the U.N. General Assembly last week. Nonetheless, Netanyahu highlighted that, despite Iran's moderate rhetoric, the Islamic Republic remains intent on the destruction of Israel and that it must be stripped of what he called its "military nuclear" capa- bility. Obama, who said the US-Israel alliance and the U.S. commitment to Israel's security were "stronger than ever," said he had to "test" the willingness of the Iranians to meet their international obligations, but that the U.S. was entering negotiations "clear-eyed" and was taking no option off the Benjamin Netanyahu and Barack Obama following their meeting table, "includ- Monday. (Photo Credit: Kobi Gideon/GPO/Flash 90/Times of Israel) ing the military option:' to make sure Iran did not diplomacy to succeed, "pressure and sanc- get nuclear weapons. tions" had to be maintained. The "bottom Words would not suffice, he said. Iran line he stressed, is that Iran not get nuclear would have to meet "the highest level of weapons. verification" before the international com- He said he appreciated Obama's remarks munity could start "sanctions relief:' he about the imperative that Iran's words be added. matched with real, verifiable actions. Its He also promised to consult closely with "military nuclear" program, he said, had to Israel as the contacts with Iran move for- be dismantled. ward. It was the combination of a credible It was imperative, for Israel and for world military threat and the sanctions that had security, said Obama, that Iran not get the pushed Iran into the corner, he said. Those bomb. The U.S. did not want a nuclear arms pressures should be kept in place. And "it is race in the most incendiary part of the Israel's firm belief that if Iran continues to world, he noted. advance its nuclear program during nego- For his part, Netanyahu stressed to tiations, the sanctions should be strength- Obama that, for the U.S., "there is no better ened," he said. ally, more reliable, more stable, more demo- On the Palestinian issue, Obama said he cratic" than Israel in the "very dangerous" "commended" Netanyahu for sharing good Middle East, and that "the most important faith negotiations with the Palestinians, and challenge" was preventing Iran from getting said the U.S. goal was to facilitate an accord nuclear weapons. for two states living side by side in peace Netanyahu did not dismiss the idea of and security. He warned there was limited attempting diplomacy; but he said that for time to achieve that goal. vot HELPING SENIORS PAY TRIBUTE TO THEIR LOVED ONES Temple Israel, in conjunction with its Robert Sosnick Family Life Center, funded by the Ira Kaufman Chapel, presents the 16th Annual Kever Avot. This very special program provides an opportunity for older adults in the community to visit the gravesides of their loved ones. This program serves the residents of assisted living facilities and apartments. Spend Sunday October 6th remembering your loved ones. Each participant will be accompanied by a volunteer on a one-to-one basis for the morning. For more information, please contact Stephanie in the Temple Israel Robert Sosnick Family Life Center at 248-661-5700 or email Stephanie@temple-israel.org THE IRA KAUFMAN CHAPEL 18325 W. Nine Mile Road Southfield, MI 48075 248.569.0020 • IraKaufman.com 62 October 3 • 2013 Obituaries Making a difference. ❑ 3 t '1 1 4..