"I do not live and act on the basis of criticism. I am now in Berlin seeing to the security of the country. I do this day and night for the sake of the State of Israel, and I live where I live," Minister of Defense Ehud Barak told “IDF Radio" (Galei Zahal) today, rebuffing criticism of the sale of his apartment in Tel Aviv's Akirov Towers for NIS 26.5 million. "Even if this has some connection to my judgment as a citizen, it is irrelevant to my job."
On more general matters, Barak said, "2012 will be the year of decision on the Iranian issue. [President Barack] Obama and the Americans understand Israel's position, and they see the issue more clearly now."
"We have a common goal of stopping Iran, and ultimately, Israel and its government will have to take decisions on this matter. Obama understands this, and we'll do it while taking the Americans' interests in the region into account."
As for US approval for a strike against Iran, Barak added, "In the end, Israel and it alone, will have to take decisions about its security."
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on March 22, 2012
© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2012