Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday lauded U.S. President Donald Trump over his extraordinary meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Singapore, where the two agreed on the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.
"I commend U.S. President Donald Trump on the historic summit in Singapore. This is an important step in the effort to rid the Korean Peninsula of nuclear weapons.
"President Trump has also taken a strong stand against Iran's efforts to arm itself with nuclear weapons and against its aggression in the Middle East. This is already affecting the Iranian economy. President Trump's policy is an important development for Israel, the region and the entire world," Netanyahu said.
Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein met with South Korean Ambassador Lee Gun-tae on Tuesday and expressed hope that the Singapore summit will "lead to a similar process in our region. … Just as South Korea is threatened by North Korea, Israel is threatened with nuclear weapons by Iran. We must put an end to it."
The summit, he said, "is a tremendous step, not only for South Korea but for the entire world. This will be a long process, but the outcome may be revolutionary. A few years ago, we could not have imagined that such regimes would give up their weapons and power, and I hope that this process that begins today will create a desire for similar processes in the Middle East."
Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman said Israel "welcomes the summit. We think it's an achievement and the most meaningful breakthrough we've seen in years. The deal's real test will be in its implementation. I'm sure the U.S. and President Trump will supervise it closely and be an example to other countries."
Regional Cooperation Minister Tzachi Hanegbi also juxtaposed the developments in Singapore with tensions vis-à-vis Iran, saying that what happened in Singapore was a "mortal blow to the radical axis led by Iran."
He acknowledged the summit was the beginning of a prolonged process, saying, "The bottom line right now is praiseworthy: Trump's strong and uncompromising policies are proving themselves."
Knesset's State Control Committee MK Shelly Yachimovich (Zionist Union) tweeted that she "salutes Trump. It's true that we have no idea of knowing how this will all end, but it's still a stunning and historic moment. [U.S. President Barack] Obama (who, as you know, I admire) won the Nobel [Peace Prize] for far less. … Hopefully this will happen for us, as well. Amen."
Zionist Union leader Avi Gabbay tweeted, "What happened between the United States and North Korea could also happen in the Middle East and elsewhere. It does not sound logical, until it happens. This is only the first step, but leadership with the courage to initiate can make all the difference."
