Israel's new Foreign Min warns of Iran's nuclear threat, says 'will talk less' on Ukraine

In his first inaugural speech on Monday, January 2, Israel's Foreign Minister Eli Cohen pushed for coordinated international front united against Iran's nuclear programme, saying that  countries of world "must stop burying ir head in sand." In a counter-response to Iran's growing nuclear ambitions, Cohen ted that Israel will focus on expanding its own military capabilities to defend its interests.

' replacement for Israel-US ties': Cohen 

Israel's new Foreign Minister also emphasised strengning cooperation with its longtime ally US which, he stated, “stands at top of our priorities.” “re is replacement for Israel-US ties,” he said, adding that “This is a long-term strategic partnership based first and foremost on shared values and on interests that we share.” 

In his speech, Cohen also focussed on deepening relations with Israel's key partner Europe, according to newpaper Times of Israel. latter reported that a meeting is scheduled between Cohen and Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on January 3 to discuss ongoing conflict and or topics of mutual interest. With respect to war in Ukraine, Cohen assumed a more neutral stance, saying that Netanyahu government "will talk less and will continue humanitarian aid." foreign minister of Israel berated Palestine for pursuing goals in international forums like International Court of Justice (ICJ) in Hague and calling for UN-led resolutions.

“ ones who should be brought to justice are Palestinian leadership, which is only place in world that gives incentives to murder Jews because y are Jews," Cohen remarked. 

 “Eugh incitement in educational institutions and funding murderers of Jews.”

Israel's minister recalled that a Negev Forum is scheduled to take place in March in Morocco which will be attended by officials from US, UAE, Israel, Bahrain, Egypt, and potentially Jordan, and will prove to be a mechanism for regional cooperation between Israel and Arab world. Some of areas of regional cooperation listed by Israeli government earlier includes food and water security, energy, education, health, tourism, security, and climate.

Cohen emphasised that at forum, Israel will discuss expansion of Abraham Accords which is "t a question of if, but when." accord was historic rmalisation agreement signed between Israel and United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Morocco brokered by former Trump administration. accord led to strengning cooperation and regional integration in Middle East and beyond for Tel Aviv, and included establishment of  historic Negev Forum to bring onboard Israel and its neighbours. Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita participated in Negev Summit in Israel alongside high-level officials from US, UAE, Bahrain, and Egypt last year.