PM Netanyahu, for the First Time, Answers Questions on Facebook from Web
Surfers from the Arab World

(Communicated by the Prime Minister's Media Adviser)

Hundreds of web surfers from Egypt, Jordan, Iraq, the Gulf states, northern
Africa, the Palestinian Authority and from among the Israeli Arab sector
responded to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's call and directed their
questions to him this morning (Monday), 30.1.12, via the Prime Minister's
Office Facebook page in Arabic.
(Click here
http://www.pmo.gov.il/PMO/Communication/Spokesman/2012/01/spokechat300112.htm
for an excerpt.)

The questions dealt with a broad range of issues including the Arab Spring,
the diplomatic process with the Palestinians, Iran, relations between Israel
and Arab countries and more. The questions expressed a genuine interest in
learning more about Israel and its policies in a range of areas. Ofir
Gendelman, the Prime Minister's Arabic Media Adviser, translated the
questions and answers for Prime Minister Netanyahu and the surfers.

In response to a question about the diplomatic process, the Prime Minister
said that, "I am ready at this moment to go to Ramallah and begin talks with
Abu Mazen without preconditions. To my regret, Abu Mazen is not prepared to
come to my office. I think that this is a mistake."

Regarding Iran, Prime Minister Netanyahu said that, "Iran is developing
nuclear weapons in order to control the entire Middle East and beyond. This
is a direct threat to peace."

The Prime Minister referred to the Arab Spring and said that, "Increasing
freedom within these countries will aid their prosperity. Increasing
freedom of information could aid peace because at the moment, the Arab world
still has stigmas and stereotypes about the State of Israel that have no
bearing on reality."

Regarding Saudi Arabia, Prime Minister Netanyahu said that, "We have many
common interests that we could advance regarding the economy and regional
policy. I believe that, like us, Saudi Arabia sees that there is a great
danger in the spread of terrorism by extremist elements. We expect that the
Saudi regime, like others, will act against these dangerous forces."