Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Israel has congratulated the Nepali government, political parties, and the Nepali people for the successful conduct of the House of Representatives elections.
Israeli Ambassador to Nepal Shmulik Arie Bass extended the congratulations while addressing an event organized to brief the media on the current situation in the Gulf region.
“The elections held in Nepal were truly free and exemplary. I would like to congratulate and extend my best wishes to the Nepali people and political parties,” the ambassador said.
He also expressed Israel’s desire to further strengthen bilateral friendship and cooperation and added that Israel was willing to work closely with Nepal’s new leadership. He described the elections as an important step towards strengthening democracy in Nepal.
During the program, the ambassador also spoke about the ongoing tensions in West Asia. He said Israel, together with the United States, is currently carrying out attacks on Iran, adding that the action is aimed at ensuring peace in the region.
Iran has also launched attacks in the Gulf region.
Ambassador Bass said Israel had been compelled to attack Iran to protect its territory and the lives of its people. He said Israel seeks peace in West Asia and is ready to hold dialogue with all neighbouring countries to ensure peace and progress in the region. However, he accused extremist groups such as Hezbollah and Hamas of repeatedly attacking Israel and alleged that Iran had provided financial and other support to those groups.
Addressing rumours surrounding a recent attack on civilians, he said Israel was not responsible for it and called for an investigation. “Anyone can examine the missiles used in that attack,” he said.
Comparing Iran’s leadership to the Nazis, he said the regime displayed similar characteristics and added that other Gulf countries had also understood the nature of the leadership.
The ambassador said the air strikes carried out by the United States and Israel were intended to neutralize the nuclear threat posed by Iran.
“This is not only a matter concerning West Asia but also global security,” he said. “If the world remains silent, it could lead to a situation similar to what happened in Germany under the Nazi regime.”
He also questioned the characterization of Iran as a “third-world country”.
“A country that can produce 10,000 drones a month, manufacture missiles capable of striking thousands of miles away, and is home to more than 2,700 globally recognized scientists—how can that be called a third-world country?” he wondered.
