Netanyahu to U.S. Media: With Iran ‘I look at What They Do, Not What They Say’
by Zach Pontz
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made the rounds on U.S. television on Wednesday, continuing to warn the world of the consequences of a nuclear Iran.
Speaking with Andrea Mitchell of NBC a day after addressing the United Nations General Assembly, Netanyahu dismissed the recent conciliatory tone struck by Iranian president Hassan Rouhani, saying that it is actions, not words, that Iran must be judged by.
“He talks about his revere for democracy in Iran, he tweets here in the United States but they don’t let the Iranian people use Twitter,” he said. “He talks about the scourge of terrorism. Iran conducts, as we speak now, terrorist operations in dozens of countries. He speaks of the tragedy in Syria, Iran’s forces help Assad perpetrate the massacre of tens of thousands of men, women and children as we speak. It’s one thing to say one thing, it’s another thing what they do, and I look at what they do, not what they say.”
Netanyahu also spoke with TV personality Charlie Rose, and addressed those who criticize his handling of Iran and the peace process.
“If you govern by fashion and you govern by the kind of editorials you’re gonna get, you’ll get good editorials and later you’ll get good eulogies. I’d rather have bad press and no eulogies, better a bad press than a good eulogy,” Netanyahu said. “My responsibility is to ensure the survival, security, longevity of the one and only Jewish state. I will do that pursuing peace, and I’m prepared to make historic compromises. I will never compromise on Israel’s security. Never.”