Netanyahu says US is the senior partner, Israel the junior partner: Key takeaways from ABC News interview

Anyone can use Google Maps to find out what is really happening in Gaza, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in an interview with ABC News, responding to a question about why foreign journalists are not allowed to enter Gaza independently.

Key takeaways from Netanyahu’s interview:

• Trump has basically three options: one, to indeed succeed in making a deal; two, to continue the blockade; three, to take military action. Anything that will produce the end of Iran’s nuclear program is what we want. That’s our common goal.
• Asked whether he tried to persuade Trump to restart attacks on Iran during their meeting at the White House, Netanyahu said: “Actually not. That’s the caricature or the cartoon picture. That is not true. We actually analyzed all three possibilities, and I thought we did it in an open way between friends and allies. And it’s his decision. It’s his decision.
• Asked whether regime change in Iran remains Israel’s goal, Netanyahu said: “My goal is to make sure that Iran, with this regime, doesn’t have nuclear weapons.”
• In America, often they say that Trump does everything I say. And in Israel they often say that I do everything he says. And sometimes, you know, these things are expressed in the public discussion by anyone, including the President. But the truth is, we’re partners. We’re allies. He’s the senior partner. It’s the United States of America. Let’s not forget. And I’m the junior partner, but I’m the Prime Minister of Israel. And when I have to stand up for the interests of my country and the security of my country, I do so.
• Asked why Israel does not allow foreign journalists to enter the Gaza Strip independently, without being accompanied by Israeli forces, to report on events there, Netanyahu said: “Anybody can use a Google Map to find out exactly what is happening.”
• We’re a modern democracy fighting against the barbarians. And in New York City, the mayor of New York City celebrates the barbarians.