Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield
U.S. Representative to the United Nations
Jerusalem, Israel
November 17, 2021
Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield’s Interview with Itamar Eichner of YNet News
AS DELIVERED
QUESTION: Can you assess the degree of progress achieved with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia regarding normalization with Israel, and are we going to see soon another country that will sign the Abraham Accords?
AMBASSADOR LINDA THOMAS-GREENFIELD: Yeah, I can’t assess the discussions with the Saudis, but I can say that we are committed to working with Israel and other countries in the region to push forward new agreements with the Israeli government. We think the Abraham Accords provided a measure of security for the entire region. I think it provides benefits to both sides, and we would love to see other countries sign.
QUESTION: And you’re optimistic that it will happen?
AMBASSADOR THOMAS-GREENFIELD: I’m optimistic, yes.
QUESTION: Soon?
AMBASSADOR THOMAS-GREENFIELD: I can’t say soon, but I can say I’m optimistic. And I can tell you that I am working on that issue with the Israeli PR in New York, and we will continue to look for opportunities. I actually attended the commemoration of the Abraham agreement hosted by the Israeli Embassy in New York and will continue to engage to strengthen the agreements that are already in existence and also work to forge new agreements.
QUESTION: Prime Minister Bennett expressed his concern that the international community might be too soft on the Iran issue. What is your response to that?
AMBASSADOR THOMAS-GREENFIELD: I’ve heard that several times, including in the press. We’re not soft on Iran. We want to engage with them. We want to find a mechanism – diplomatically – to get the Iranians to move back into the JCPOA agreement, and we’ve made clear over and over again that we will not allow the Iranians to gain access to a nuclear weapon.
QUESTION: Thank you very much.
AMBASSADOR THOMAS-GREENFIELD: Thank you.
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