MK Rivlin: 'Our Future Must be in Our Own Hands'

A7 News

Nissan Ratzlav-Katz

(IsraelNN.com) While taking part in the nationwide emergency drill Tuesday morning, Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin (Likud) said that Israel cannot place its fate in the hands of any other nation - even friendly ones. He indicated that there has been a serious shift in relations with the United States, but that Israeli self-interest will not be sacrificed for the sake of those relations. "The current drill is not the result of American pressure, I would like to calm everyone about that," Rivlin said from within the reinforced shelter area in the Knesset building. At the same time, he pointed out, "The American pressure is such that it changes assumptions in Israel." Later, he described the new American administration's shift in approach to Israel as "dramatic".

"The alliance between the United States and Israel is of primary strategic significance, but this friendship does not come at the expense of Israel's clear interests, as the Israeli public sees them. And the Israeli public, which is the most democratic there is, knows - as the free world knows - that our future has to be in our own hands. And that is [also] a clear American interest," Rivlin declared.

"It must be explained to all concerned that Israel cannot forsake its future. Our parents provided for us, and we must provide for our children and our grandchildren and our great-grandchildren for generations to come. The State of Israel cannot depend on the whims of any other groups...."

Regarding the pressures currently brought to bear on Israel regarding the American vision of a new Arab state established in Israel's heartland, Rivlin said, "To friends, of course, it can be explained that friends can agree to disagree. It's happened before. Ever since 1967 there has been disagreement with the United States, but it must be clear that it is unacceptable to suddenly come to Israel and say, 'You must give up all your beliefs,' especially when even those who do not support this government speak about 'two states for two peoples' are not speaking about the 'two states' that the Palestinians, or even the nations of the world, are talking about."

'We Are Being Wary'
Touching on the threats to the Israeli legislature itself, Knesset Speaker Rivlin said that there is currently "no concrete information of threats to the Knesset beyond the regular threats." At the same time, he added, Lebanon's Hizbullah terrorist organization is still looking to "take revenge on Israel for the assassination of [Hizbullah operations chief Imad] Mughniyeh, which they claim was carried out by Israel."

In light of threats from Hizbullah and other terrorist groups, Rivlin explained, "There are a few Knesset members, who are not even among the top tier of Israeli leaders, for whom we have to be wary, because generally, when terrorist organizations are not able to hit the primary leaders, they will make due with the secondary ones."

When asked if there were MKs who are provided extra security in light of threats related to the Mughniyeh assassination, Rivlin said, "We are being wary."