Israel Palestine Iran Moshe Obama Foreign Policy
Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon looks at Israel's armed forces chief Major-General Benny Gantz during a visit to Kibbutz Kissufim outside the central Gaza Strip Reuters

Israeli Defence Minister Moshe Yaalon has launched a stinging attack on US President Barack Obama's foreign policy, telling the United States that "if your image in the world is feebleness, it doesn't pay".

Speaking at an event at Tel Aviv University, Yaalon criticises Obama's perceived weakness around the world in China, Ukraine and the Middle East.

"I heard voices of disappointment in the region. I was in Singapore and heard disappointment about China getting stronger and the US getting weaker," Yaalon said.

"Look what's happening in Ukraine, where the United States is demonstrating weakness, unfortunately," he continued.

The defence minister chastens Obama for not being proactive in tackling sources of terrorism abroad, despite the onset of US drone strikes across Asia against terrorism targets and the capture of Osama Bin Laden.

"If you sit and wait at home, the terrorism will come again," said Yaalon.

"Even if you hunker down, it will come. This is a war of civilizations. If your image is feebleness, it doesn't pay in the world. Nobody will replace the United States as global policeman. I hope the United States comes to its senses. If it doesn't, it will challenge the world order, and the United States is the one that will suffer."

Yaalon then turned his attention to the issue of Iran, declaring that Israel should no longer rely on anybody else but themselves.

"We had thought the ones who should lead the campaign against Iran is the United States.

"But at some stage the United States entered into negotiations with them, and unhappily, when it comes to negotiating at a Persian bazaar, the Iranians were better."

"Therefore, on this matter, we have to behave as though we have nobody to look out for us but ourselves," he added.

Yaalon then proceeded to criticise the Obama administration for wanting to pass the issue onto future Presidents to deal with rather than taking the initiative themselves.

"People know that Iran cheats," he said. "But comfortable Westerners prefer to put off confrontation. If possible, to next year, or the next president. But in the end, it will blow up."

From being put "on its knees" by economic sanctions, Iran has recovered by leading a "smile offensive", the defence minister concluded.

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