Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his appreciation on Saturday over remarks by Cuban leader Fidel Castro, who said that Israel has a right to exist in an interview earlier this month.
Fidel Castro
"The remarks attributed to Castro demonstrate his deep understanding of the history of the Jewish people and the State of Israel," Netanyahu said.
In an interview published on Wednesday, the former Cuban president told The Atlantic reporter Jeffery Goldberg, when asked whether Israel has a right to exist as a Jewish state, "Yes, without a doubt."Subsequently, Goldberg asked Castro whether Raul Castro, the current president of Cuba and Fidel's brother, would reestablish relations with Israel, the 84-year-old leader replied that "these things take time."
Castro referenced the Holocaust in the interview, saying "Now, let's imagine that I were Netanyahu," Castro said, "that I were there and I sat down to reason through [the issues facing Israel], I would remember that six million Jewish men and women, of all ages were exterminated in the concentration camps."
In an earlier installment of the Goldberg interview, Castro urged Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to stop slandering the Jews, devoting much of a five-hour conversation to the issue of anti-Semitism.
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DON'T YOU THINK THAT AN OLD MAN HAS AN OLD BRAIN , AND OLD BRAIN MEANCRAZY BRAIN ?
if Castro has some Sephardic Jewish hiding in his family tree. ManyCuban families that have their origins in Spain do, and they are evenrather proud of it. So , , ,
Netanyahu willing to accept the concessions consented by Olmert (whichmeans giving nearly 100% of the West Bank to the Palestinians), Eitanand Meridor supporting this idea an Castro becoming sensitive to Israeland the history of the Jewish people. He even admires BenzionNetanyahu. The extreme-left admiring the extreme-right! What's next,Ahmadinejad's trip to Jerusalem and a visit at the Yad Vashem? I'mkidding, but the world has changed very fast over the last few years.It's positive. I remember Shimon Peres telling youngsters a few yearsago to do the opposite of what his generation did. He told them to beimaginative. I think his voice was heard, even though Bibi, Eitan andCastro are not really youngsters anymore!
Of course he understands Jewish history, particularly the part that hasto do with Sephardim and the Iberian Expulsion.
Castro, an experienced statesman (not perfect as we all make mistakes)is doing his best to help lessen tension in the ME. War and hatredshould not be the option, but peace.It's necessary to try understandingboth sides.Peace.
This is truly an amazing story whether you love or hate Castro. Bettera late conversion then none at all!
His country is broke and he needs urgently American jewish money.Don´t you see this as the reason of sudden change?
"The remarks attributed to Castro demonstrate his deepunderstanding of the history of the Jewish people and the State ofIsrael," Netanyahu said.
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