Tel Aviv – Tehran: mutual threats mark Israeli anniversary

Peres added that the Iranian nuclear program threatens to destroy Israel. "These threats – he added - should not be underestimated ... Neither should our enemies have underestimate our capabilities."  

 For years, the Iranian leadership, led by Ahmadinejad threatened to erase the State of Israel off the face of the earth. Israel continues to push the international community to impose heavier penalties on Iran, but has never ruled out the possible military strike against Iran's nuclear program.  

Yesterday in Tehran, Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki warned against any attack on the Islamic republic. "Those who are planning to attack Iran - he said - are playing with fire. They will understand the consequences of their actions. "  

Peres said that "a threat to the peace of the Jewish people always carries the danger of turning into a threat to the entire civilized world."  

Peres's meeting with relatives of victims of war and terrorism began ceremonies commemorating 62 years since the birth of the Israeli state. The exact date is May 16, 1948, which the Jewish calendar corresponds to April 20 this year. Yesterday evening, after sunset, sirens were sounded throughout the country to commemorate the dead. Today there are the still sounds of sirens to commemorate the victims of independence.  

The celebrations in Israel will end tomorrow. Until then all passages from the West Bank will remain closed for security reasons.