TEL AVIV - Global peace and stability would be in great danger if a totalitarian country such as Iran, which supports and assists terror, would obtain nuclear weapons, President Moshe Katsav told Ynet readers during an exclusive on-line chat.
He added that if Iran would in fact acquire or produce nuclear weapons, “additional Islamic countries may be tempted to acquire weapons of mass destruction.”
Katsav said Iran must be pressured into giving up on its nuclear aspirations.
“I believe Iran would not act like North Korea, and firm international pressure such as a U.N. Security Council meeting on the matter may deter Iran from pursuing its efforts to obtain nuclear weapons,” he said.
“Iran does not need nuclear weapons; its existence is not threatened, especially since the removal of Saddam Hussein.”
Against Gay Pride Parade in Jerusalem
When asked why he has continuously refrained from expressing his opinion on the Gaza and West Bank disengagement plan, Katsav said the matter should be discussed and dealt with on a governmental level alone.
“The disengagement stirs harsh partisan-political controversy. I have refused to express support for the government’s position and the Knesset’s decisions regarding disengagement, just as I refuse to express opposition to those same decisions,” he said.
“At the time I supported bringing the decision to a referendum, but the majority of Knesset members opposed the move and I respect the Knesset’s decision.”
Katsav said the country’s current political system should be changed due to the recurring parliamentary crises that have surfaced since Israel’s establishment.
“We should introduce a structure that would promise more governmental stability and less political upheaval,” he said.
“I intend to appoint a committee of experts that would formulate a proposal to transform the structure of government and make it more suitable to the changes that have occurred and to Israel’s unique national goals.”
When asked by a Ynet reader for his opinion regarding the debate on whether to hold the International Gay Pride Parade in Jerusalem, Katsav said the parade should not be held in the capital.
“We should unconditionally adhere to the request of the three (main) religions’ leaders and not hold the gay pride parade in Jerusalem,” he said. “Out of human respect, we must not hurt the feelings of Jews, Muslims, and Christians.”
The president also offered his take on the distinct characteristics of the average Israeli.
“To me an Israeli is someone who has a lot of love for Israel and is curious regarding the Jewish people’s and Israel’s past,” he said.
“(An Israeli) is someone who ties his fate with Israel, enjoys listening to Israeli music, and prefers visiting the country’s archeological sites rather than visit the Eiffel Tower for the second time.”
