“We want to maintain security and have and hold the peace forever. Our aim and dream is to have peace forever,” said Shemi Tzur at a recent service at Calvary Chapel, Auckland.
“Israel is not alone but has many friends. We highly appreciate the support, friendship, solidarity, love, and prayers of people for Israel. Israel is in the homeland promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; we will stay there and flourish there.”
Mr Tzur said the word ‘Shalom’ (peace) was in the Bible over 300 times and Jews used the word a lot in their conversations.
“It is what we in Israel strive for. We are human beings, we want to live in peace…But it needs to be reached on both sides. Peace must be two-way — without terrorism, threats, kidnappings, attacks. Attacks and terrorism against Israel and the suffering and destruction, needs to stop…It is important to respect others, to prevent tension and have a peaceful environment,” said Mr Tzur.
“Peace must be genuine peace, with security…We want to live peacefully, and we are ready to share peace. We educate our people for peace, and in schools.
We call on international organisations like the United Nations and European Union to discuss and encourage peace.
“But we are concerned for our citizens, for security, and about threats, terrorists and attacks,” added Mr Tzur.
He pointed out that Israel was willing to give concessions for peace, and that this was publicly stated by Israel’s Prime Minster, a few weeks ago.
“We gave concessions to Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, and in Gaza. But there is a limit; you need the other sides to also be reasonable and to stop terrorism. So we want to see something coming from the other side also.” The ambassador said Iran was a “real threat” not only to Israel but the Middle East, Europe, and the world. He said missiles could be fired by Iran which had a range of 3000 kilometres.
“A range of 3000 kilometres reaches beyond Israel, they only need a range of 1326 kilometres…Who is threatening Iran?
“We take it very seriously. The President of Iran said, ‘We want to wipe out Israel’.
When a president of a sovereign state says publicly that his aim is to destroy Israel, the world should stand up against this and stop Iran’s missile and nuclear development programmes.”
