President Shimon Peres Meets US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates - 24 March 2011

President Shimon Peres met this evening with the United States Secretary of Defense, Robert Gates. The two discussed the recent developments taking place in the Middle East and specifically the Peace Process between Israel and the Palestinians. The President thanked the Secretary for the United States standing firmly by the side of Israel on maintaining security interests. "I want to thank you for your continuous support you have shown for the defense of Israel in your capacity which is central to our defense. President Obama has said repeatedly that as long as he is President -- the security of Israel will stand at the highest priority and you are the one to implement it and you did it with great sympathy and understanding."
The President related to the recent barrage of rockets on the South and said: "We are all the time under fire, even today. It is pointless, aimless and leads to nowhere. We don't have a choice but to defend our lives, the lives of our citizens -- and that is what we will do."
Secretary Gates said to the President: "Let me begin by expressing our sympathy for the families of those who were killed and wounded in the terrorist attack in Jerusalem yesterday, and our deep concern about the rocket attacks coming out of Gaza against the people of Israel.
Gates also stressed that: "President Obama is the eighth President I have worked for and I believe that the defense relationship between the United States and Israel has never been stronger. It is important that we stand together as we contemplate and work with the extraordinary change that is taking place around the region today. There are challenges involved with that but there are also great opportunities and the key is to minimize the challenges and maximize the opportunities."
President Peres emphasized: "We are aware that there is a wind of change in the Middle East and we very much like you, stand on the side of the camp of freedom, democracy, security and peace. While we are concerned about the daily problems of defense, we are not overlooking this historic confrontation, hoping that the camp of freedom and peace will win. I welcome you to Israel and I am sure your visit will contribute to the tranquility, defense and the future of the Middle East."

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