By Jacob Kornbluh & JI Staff

DAY 5: Netanyahu: It’s Going To Take Time: “We are here in the midst of a complex operation. We need to be prepared for the possibility that it may take time. This is a serious event and there will be serious consequences. We are working together in a considered, responsible and very determined manner.” Netanyahu urged the international community to decry the kidnapping: “I expect all responsible elements in the international community – some of whom rush to condemn us for any construction in this place or for enclosing a balcony in Gilo – to strongly condemn this reprehensible and deplorable act of abducting three youths.” After 5 days and without mentioning Hamas, the EU finally released a statement: “We condemn in the strongest terms the abduction of 3 Israeli students in the West Bank and call for their immediate release.” [Statement] (more…)

David Ignatius: Q&A with Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iran’s foreign minister – Washington Post: Q: David Ignatius: Let me begin by asking about the state of the negotiations. After your delegation left technical negotiations in Vienna on Friday, your colleague Abbas Aragchi said that the U.S. announcement of a move to strengthen enforcement of existing sanctions “is against the spirit” of the Geneva deal” and said that Iran was evaluating an “appropriate response.” Can you clarify that and explain what you think Iran’s position should be.

A: Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iranian foreign minister: We are committed to ensuring that the process that we started — and it required a lot of courage on our side to reach his agreement — will lead to a satisfactory conclusion that would address the requirements as stated in the [Geneva interim] agreement — that is, to have an enrichment program in Iran while at the same time both concerns as well as restrictions imposed by the international community will be removed. This is the objective. Since we believe our program is exclusively for peaceful purposes, we have no desire to leave any ambiguity about the exclusively peaceful nature of our program. So on our side, we believe it is very easy to reach an agreement. Of course it requires serious political will and good faith in order to reach that agreement.” [WashPost]

Iranian Foreign Minister says no trace in Iran of missing Jewish ex-FBI agent: “There are no traces in Iran of the former FBI agent who disappeared there six years ago, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on CBS’s “Face The Nation” on Sunday.” [Reuters] (more…)

Update: Scroll down for video of President Obama chatting with Israeli NBA player Omri Casspi

 

Father daughter dinner @whitehouse with Larry David pic.twitter.com/3JfgmDDxkP

— Jerry Silverman (@JerrySJFNA) December 6, 2013

Great to meet you Where’s @jpodhoretz? “@Daroff: Excited to be with @IDFfan and JoshMalina #AtTheWH #Hanukkah party! pic.twitter.com/O0ezwHUCZz”

— Joshua Malina (@JoshMalina) December 6, 2013

Berachos 58a – Strive to see kings of this world, so you may merit to differentiate between them and the true king. pic.twitter.com/EJMjeZiXe0

Enjoying the Chanukah party @WhiteHouse with @RepTedDeutch and co. pic.twitter.com/3twxQzDDH0

— Amb. Ron Dermer (@AmbDermer) December 6, 2013

Enjoying the Chanukah party @WhiteHouse with @RepTedDeutch and co. pic.twitter.com/3twxQzDDH0

— Amb. Ron Dermer (@AmbDermer) December 6, 2013

— Nick Muzin (@nickmuzin) December 5, 2013

The White House Red Room was converted for a temporary hasidic shtibel with 3 minyunim mincha mariv #OnlyInAmerica pic.twitter.com/DlqOhArGBj

— Yoel Lefkowitz (@YLefkowitz) December 6, 2013

An honor to speak to @barackobama @whitehouse #chanukah party; #Jews are blessed to live in USA pic.twitter.com/L6Xjzk1PGZ

— Nathan Diament (@NDiament) December 6, 2013

Rachel 2 Michelle “As a Mother I am so grateful that u prioritize our children’s health because they are our future” pic.twitter.com/FAKzFVZDmn

— Rabbi Steven Burg (@stevenburg) December 6, 2013

.@Daroff @JeffreyGoldberg talking shop outside the White House http://t.co/MJIdfOjm94

— Heidi Krizer Daroff (@IDFfan) December 6, 2013

A couple of Rabbis and #Marines celebrating #Chanuka together at the @WhiteHouse! @RabbiGoldberg @jarrodbernstein pic.twitter.com/brBNd1868C

— Rabbi Steven Burg (@stevenburg) December 5, 2013

Special thanks to Rabbi Levi Shemtov, who makes it happen at the @whitehouse Chanukah party. @Lubavitch @Chabad pic.twitter.com/7DeeY2X5hi

— Chaskel Bennett (@ChaskelBennett) December 6, 2013

Rare sighting of Larry David next to George W. Bush. pic.twitter.com/8DoT5BN1ld

— Teddy Goff (@teddygoff) December 6, 2013

With #AIA Leadership at the @whitehouse Chanukah pic.twitter.com/QrzyfJkf2v

— Chaskel Bennett (@ChaskelBennett) December 5, 2013

Giving some basketball tips to @Casspi18 @WhiteHouse pic.twitter.com/xN0Kin5L5Q

— Jerry Silverman (@JerrySJFNA) December 6, 2013

The @WhiteHouse organizes a panel for Chanukah. 6 Men, 0 Women #WHITEHOUSEFAIL pic.twitter.com/xmrdFK5zeo

— AWP (@AWPHeadsUP) December 5, 2013

At White House with Hillary. pic.twitter.com/zGK1fqCFGL

— Jerry Goldfeder (@JerryGoldfeder) December 6, 2013

Just spotted Justice Elena Kagan at the White House for Hanukkah reception.

Enjoying the Chanukah party @WhiteHouse with @RepTedDeutch and co. pic.twitter.com/3twxQzDDH0

— Amb. Ron Dermer (@AmbDermer) December 6, 2013

Attended Hanukkah reception at White House last night. Huge thrill to be singing Maoz Tzur in the presence of the President and First Lady.

— Joshua Malina (@JoshMalina) December 6, 2013

— Jeff Mason (@jeffmason1) December 6, 2013

Though Hanukkah ended at sunset, Pres Obama hosting a second Hanukkah reception and Menorah lighting.

— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) December 6, 2013

At WH Hanukkah party, Obama praises Mandela for his pursuit of justice. Ruth Bader Ginsburg yells out “Yes!” #Boss #NotoriousRBG

— Alana Newhouse (@alananewhouse) December 6, 2013