Netanyahu praises U.S. war on terror
By Jenn Kostka
Special to Denver Post
Thursday, January 17, 2002 - The next target in America's war against terrorism is likely to be Iran or Iraq, former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday in Denver.
"Both are feverishly working at developing nuclear weapons. That is a direct threat to millions of people," Netanyahu said at the state Capitol, fielding questions alongside Gov. Bill Owens.
Netanyahu, who spent time here as a boy while his father taught at the University of Denver, praised the United States' role in the war against terrorism in Afghanistan.
"We are very lucky that the United States is the leader of the world today," said Netanyahu, 52. "We will defeat and roll back the tide of Islamic terrorism."
The Institute for the Study of Israel in the Middle East and the Allied Jewish Federation of Colorado sponsored the former prime minister's visit to Denver, bringing him here to discuss the roots of terrorism and the link between security and peace.
Netanyahu appeared with the governor at the Capitol before speaking at the Buell Theatre before a sold-out audience of about 3,000.
"This is the largest Jewish gathering in the state of Colorado in five years," said Suzi Stolte, director of communications for the Allied Jewish Federation of Colorado. "Netanyahu will be able to help this audience understand what Israelis go through on a daily basis."
But Netanyahu's appearance wasn't embraced by the Colorado Campaign for Middle East Peace, which last month sent five Coloradans to Israel to draw attention to strife in the West Bank.
Outside of the Buell, the group staged a re-enactment of an Israeli military checkpoint based on what they say they saw when they traveled to the West Bank and Gaza.
"The policies of the Israeli government are a form of terrorism," said Val Phillips, a University of Colorado student and one of the people who traveled to the West Bank. "It's ironic that Netanyahu is here talking about terrorism."
Netanyahu was elected prime minister in 1996 after Yitzhak Rabin was assassinated in 1995. He held that office until 1999, when Ehud Barak defeated him.
The two groups that sponsored Netanyahu's visit said they hope to connect Israel and the Denver community through this event.
The Institute for the Study of Israel in the Middle East is part of the Graduate School of International Studies at the University of Denver.
Netanyahu's father taught Jewish history at the University of Denver while Netanyahu served in the military. He said he had the chance to look up some of his Denver friends during his stay here.