CAMP DAVID, Md. – Group of Eight leaders agreed in their initial discussions at Camp David on Friday that Iran needs to disclose more about its nuclear ambitions and that it was time to focus on a political transition in Syria, a US official said.

The leaders also stressed the importance of having North Korea adhere to international norms with its nuclear program and said it would face more isolation if it “continues down the path of provocation,” the official said.

The Friday evening dinner, hosted by US President Barack Obama, was the first opportunity for the G-8 leaders to discuss global security concerns. They will talk about the eurozone crisis and other economic issues, including a “range of options” to address oil market pressures at the summit on Saturday.

“My position is to use all instruments to lower (oil) prices,” France’s newly elected Socialist President Francois Hollande told reporters on Friday, confirming a shift in his stance since the elections. He said however that the question of reserves was not raised in his first meeting with Obama.

While leaders are likely to stop short of any hard and fast commitment to intervene in the oil market, the talks will show that this month’s slump in oil prices hasn’t deterred Obama from moving toward tapping the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) again – an unprecedented second release for a US president.

US crude oil has tumbled 12 percent this month, dropping to the lowest since before a November UN report on Iran’s atomic program which kindled global fears.

Obama’s focus on the SPR carries risks: Republicans will blast the White House for using a national security tool to buy votes; Saudi Arabia and other OPEC allies may cry foul for having their market-balancing role usurped; and some consumer nations, like Germany, have resisted suggestions of using stockpiles.

“Last year, the president released 30 million barrels of the reserve to manipulate oil prices and has yet to refill it. Releasing even more this year only lessens our buffer and protection when a true crisis hits,” said Senator David Vitter, a Republican from Louisiana.

And it may do little to affect oil prices in the short-term: Analysts say many traders have priced in a likely release, and that right now, markets are well supplied.

But the message between the lines may ultimately be more important than the act itself, reinforcing a growing perception that Obama is leading a fundamental rethink of the strategic value of government crude.

WASHINGTON — Countries in the West, Asia and the Middle East are united in not wanting to see a nuclear-armed Iran, with most supporting sanctions and even some Arab states favoring force to prevent such a scenario, according to a new Pew poll released Friday.

Sixty-three percent of Americans think military force should be used to keep Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, while slim majorities in England, France, Germany and several other European countries back such a course, as do Egypt and Jordan.

In Lebanon, a plurality of 46 percent back military force if necessary, but in Turkey only 26% do while 42% are opposed. These numbers are similar to those in Russia (24% in favor; 41% opposed) and China (30% in favor; 39% opposed).

Iran is highly disliked, led by 91% of Germans who hold an unfavorable view of the country. Other Europeans countries range between 62% and 85% in terms of the percentage holding negative views of Iran, with 68% of Americans holding a negative view.

Pakistan is the only Muslim country which holds a favorable view of the Islamic Republic, and the stance of many Arab countries is negative and in some cases sharply falling. Between 2006 and 2012, Iran’s favorability rating has fallen from 59% to 22% in Egypt and 49% to 18% in Jordan.

Pakistan is similarly the only country of those surveyed which would like to see Iran get nuclear weapons. Opposition in North America and Europe is in the high 80s to 90s. Just slightly lower percentages in those countries approve tougher sanctions on Iran.

In Russia and China, however, only 46% and 38% of the respective publics would like to see stronger sanctions.

In America, the possibility of using force against Iran if necessary is split somewhat along party lines, with it being favored by 79% of Republicans, 61% of Democrats and 58% of Independents.

The survey was conducted by telephone and face-to-face interviews with 26,210 people in 21 countries between March 17 and April 20, according to Pew. The margin of error ranged from +/-3% to +/-5% among most countries.

Iran’s chief nuclear negotiator, Saeed Jalili, has dismissed recent comments by Western states that time is running out for dialogue with Tehran, and said time is running out not for Iran but for the Western powers’ increasing pressure against the Iranian nation.

“Today, what is running out is the time for applying pressure and this approach has failed to bear results,” Jalili said, according to a report in the Fars news agency.

He added that pressure on Iran has not only failed to impede its nuclear progress but has encouraged the nation to localize nuclear technology.

Jalili noted that Tehran’s move on the path of progress is unstoppable.

His comments were made before the UN nuclear watchdog announced that its chief, Yukiya Amano, will visit Iran on Monday and meet Jalili.

Iran and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) officials met in Vienna this week for their first talks in three months, which were described by the agency as “a good exchange of views.”

According to a statement by the IAEA on Friday, during his Tehran visit Amano will “discuss issues of mutual interest with high Iranian officials.” The statement added that aside from Jalili, there will be meetings with “senior representatives of the Iranian government,” but no further details were provided.

Amano’s visit comes ahead of a meeting in Baghdad, scheduled for Wednesday, between Tehran and a group of world powers, to discuss concerns over Iran’s suspected nuclear weapons program.

Jalili said, according to Fars, that the upcoming talks must revolve around cooperation based on the inalienable rights of the Iranian nation.

“Talks for cooperation, based on the alienable rights of the Iranian nation, must be put on the table in Baghdad,” he was quoted as having said in Tehran on Thursday.

He expressed Iran’s readiness for talks on cooperation, rejecting recent Western claims that time is running out for dialogue.

Earlier this week The Associated Press published a graphic rendering of a pressurestructure that may prove Iran is developing a nuclear weapon. The drawing is believed to have come from inside the Parchin military site near Tehran. It shows a cylindrical explosives containment chamber of the type needed for nuclear arms-related tests.

A confidential UN report exposed later in the week indicated that Iran has continued to enrich uranium and develop its nuclear program, but the sanctions that have been imposed on the Islamic Republic have slowed down its quest to achieve nuclear weapons.

(Arutz Sheva’s North American Desk is keeping you updated until the start of Shabbat in New York. The time posted automatically on all Arutz Sheva articles, however, is Israeli time.)

Hamas’ Prime Minister in Gaza, Ismail Haniyeh, criticized on Friday the U.S. decision to provide Israel with aid to purchase additional Iron Dome batteries.

According to a report on Kol Yisrael radio, Haniyeh made the comments to pro-Palestinian Authority activists from several Arab and Muslim countries. Haniyeh claimed that providing aid to Israel will encourage it “to continue its war crimes.”

On Thursday, U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta told Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak that the United States will immediately give Israel $70 million for additional Iron Dome batteries.

Washington has already given Israel $205 million for the Iron Dome systems. Panetta said: “Our goal is to ensure that Israel has the necessary financing every year in order to produce these batteries that protect its citizens.”

The highly acclaimed Iron Dome technology was a reaction to the thousands of missiles that have rained down on Israeli citizens from Hamas-controlled Gaza. The system intercepted 90 percent of missile attacks on urban centers during the recent escalation in rocket attacks from Gaza towards Israel.

Hamas has in the past accused Israel of using Gaza as an experiment field for the Iron Dome and for other IDF weapons, ignoring the fact that the system was developed because terrorists from Gaza continuously fir rockets at Israel’s south.

(Arutz Sheva’s North American Desk is keeping you updated until the start of Shabbat in New York. The time posted automatically on all Arutz Sheva articles, however, is Israeli time.)

Syrian forces on Friday fired on protesters holding the largest opposition marches yet in Aleppo, The Associated Press reported.

Aleppo, Syria’s biggest city, has largely remained supportive of President Bashar Assad throughout the 15-month uprising.

Anti-regime protests in Aleppo have been growing since a raid on dormitories at Aleppo University on May 3 killed four students and forced the temporary closure of the state-run school.

The raid was an unusually violent incident for the northern city, a major economic hub, where business ties and large minority populations have kept most residents on the side of the regime.

According to Aleppo activist Mohammad Saeed, Friday’s was the city’s largest demonstration yet, with more than 10,000 people marching in the Salaheddine and al-Shaar districts and nearly as many more elsewhere in the city.

“The number of protesters is increasing every day,” Saeed told AP. He added that several people were wounded when government forces fired tear gas and live ammunition to disperse the rallies.

Meanwhile, AP reported, thousands of people elsewhere in the country also staged anti-government rallies in solidarity with Aleppo. The demonstrations were dedicated to “The Heroes of Aleppo University.”

Opposition activists told AP tbat security forces opened fire on protests in several locations, including the Damascus suburbs and the central city of Hama. They also said the regime shelled the central town of Rastan, which rebels have controlled since January.

Amateur videos posted online Friday showed shells whizzing through the air and slamming into residential areas in Rastan, sending up clouds of smoke.

On Friday, the commander of the UN observer team in Syria said that no number of observers would be able to achieve an end to violence.

Norwegian team leader Maj. Gen. Robert Mood told reporters that only dialogue could lead to a cessation of 14-months of violence.

Speaking at a news conference in Damascus, Mood called for an immediate implementation of the UN-brokered ceasefire that was to go into effect in April.

More than 200 observers of Mood’s planned 300 strong observer force are currently deployed in various towns and cities around Syria to monitor a theoretical ceasefire.

The cease-fire was to be the first step in a six-point plan brokered by UN envoy Kofi Annan, but violations are reported by both sides every day.

Assad insisted this week that his regime is fighting back against foreign mercenaries who want to overthrow him and not innocent Syrians aspiring for democracy.

“There are foreign mercenaries, some of them still alive,” Assad said in an interview on Russian state news channelRossiya-24. “They are being detained and we are preparing to show them to the world.”

(Arutz Sheva’s North American Desk is keeping you updated until the start of Shabbat in New York. The time posted automatically on all Arutz Sheva articles, however, is Israeli time.)

Shelling between two pro and anti-Syrian neighborhoods in the north Lebanon port city of Tripoli on Friday left three people wounded, sources told AFP.

A security official told AFP that at least four shells and grenades fell on the two districts, one with a majority Sunni Muslim population supporting the revolt in neighboring Syria, and another populated by Alawites loyal to the Syrian regime.

Clashes in the area over the past week have left ten people dead and sparked fears that the revolt sweeping Syria since March of last year could engulf Lebanon.

Tension between the Sunni and Alawite communities in Tripoli has been fueled by the uprising in Syria and the arrival in the area of thousands of Syrian refugees fleeing the violence in their country.

Clashes broke out last weekend, after the arrest of a Sunni Islamist on charges of belonging to a terrorist organization. His supporters say he was targeted for helping Syrian refugees fleeing the unrest in their country.

On Wednesday night, a civilian was caught in the crossfire in the city and died of his wounds.

Israeli defense personnel said this week they are watching closely as Syrian gunmen begin to carry their battle into Lebanese territory.

Earlier this month, the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee issued an authorization for a call up for as many as 22 IDF battalions to guard the northern and southern fronts after hearing testimony from security officials. Almost immediately, six battalions were activated. 

(Arutz Sheva’s North American Desk is keeping you updated until the start of Shabbat in New York. The time posted automatically on all Arutz Sheva articles, however, is Israeli time.)

Outgoing IAF commander Maj. Gen. Ido Nechushtan suggested on Friday that it would be better to keep quiet on the subject of Iran and a possible Israeli strike on its nuclear facilities.

In a special interview with Channel 2 News, Nechushtan, who is retiring from the IDF after 37 years of service, said, “We are not commentators of this situation, we are not closely following the events. We are on the side of the solutions. We come from the side of the tools that are at the country’s disposal.”     

He added, “I think that some of the public discourse being made is out of place. It’s not helpful, it’s even harmful and in any case is not made on the basis of sufficient information or data. I think it is best to keep silent on this.”

“We’re unable to talk about many things we’ve done and maybe that’s a good thing,” said Nechushtan, perhaps hinting at some covert operations Israel has carried out. “The Air Force will continue to protect Israel.”

Nechushtan said that “The Air Force understands the relevant tasks on the agenda, and its job is even to find them early. It sits and builds programs and builds strength. It is trained and prepared for any scenarios and with this I’ve said a lot.”

The IAF’s new commander who replaces Nechushtan is Major General Amir Eshel. Eshel was officially appointed last week in a ceremony at the Chief of Staff’s bureau in Tel Aviv’s Rabin (Hakirya) Camp.

(Arutz Sheva’s North American Desk is keeping you updated until the start of Shabbat in New York. The time posted automatically on all Arutz Sheva articles, however, is Israeli time.)

A religious family narrowly escaped injuries after its car was attacked by Arab rioters in Jerusalem this week, the religious radio station Radio Kol Chai reported on Friday.

The incident occurred as the family members were making their way home from prayers at the Western Wall. They were caught in a Nakba Day demonstration held at the Damascus Gate area, the report said.

Nakba Day, or the day of catastrophe, is what the Arabs call the English date of May 15, when the State of Israel was re-established with a declaration of independence in 1948.

One of the family members told Radio Kol Chai that the Arab rioters surrounded the car, kicked the car doors, rocked the car and tried to smash the windows. Miraculously, the attackers were unable to break in and hurt the family members inside, but their car sustained damaged.

“We were terrified because we did not know what’s going to happen,” said the family member. “They tried to open the windows and doors but thank G-d they were locked. I feel that we narrowly escaped being hurt.”

The family has filed a complaint with the police who are investigating the incident. The Jerusalem police confirmed on Friday that a complaint was filed and that the incident is under investigation.

At least four Israeli security personnel were hurt in Nakba Day clashes with PA Arabs in Judea and Samaria this week.

Hundreds of PA residents threw stones and firebombs outside the Ofer Prison adjacent to the Beitunya crossing. The IDF and Israel Police responded with tear gas, rubber bullets and other crowd dispersal means.

On Tuesday, PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas used a ‘Nakba Day’ speech to accuse Israel of carrying out ethnic cleansing in Jerusalem.

“For decades, Israel has been building settlements in Jerusalem and around it,” Abbas said in a televised speech. “This is done while there is a massive destruction of houses in the city and their original inhabitants are being uprooted on a daily basis.”

Abbas also claimed that Israel intentionally harms the Muslim and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, saying, “The Al-Aqsa Mosque is being targeted by the occupation and together with the extremists has become the main target. They are trying to make Muslims and Christians flee the city by imposing heavy taxes, a policy which can only be called ethnic cleansing.”

(Arutz Sheva’s North American Desk is keeping you updated until the start of Shabbat in New York. The time posted automatically on all Arutz Sheva articles, however, is Israeli time.)

WASHINGTON/NEW YORK – After months of intense but quiet diplomacy with key allies, US President Barack Obama may secure the support of the G8 to essentially pre-authorize a release of strategic reserves later this summer, just as US and European sanctions on Iran come into force.

Late last year, Iran issued a series of not-so veiled threats to the West, suggesting it could use its “oil weapon” to show displeasure over toughening sanctions by halting exports or disrupting the Strait of Hormuz.

This weekend, the Group of Eight nations may offer a timely retort: We’ve got an oil weapon of our own, and we’re not afraid to use it.

G8 leaders at this weekend’s summit at Camp David in Maryland will discuss a “range of options” to address oil market strains, Tom Donilon, Obama’s top security aide, told reporters. The Japanese news agency Kyodo reported on Wednesday that Obama would urge leaders to support plans to release reserves. A diplomat said the topic will likely be part of an energy discussion on Saturday.

“My position is to use all instruments to lower (oil) prices,” France’s newly elected Socialist President Francois Hollande told reporters on Friday, confirming a shift in his stance since the elections. He said however that the question of reserves was not raised in his first meeting with Obama.

While leaders are likely to stop short of any hard and fast commitment to intervene in the oil market, the talks will show that this month’s slump in oil prices hasn’t deterred Obama from moving toward tapping the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) again – an unprecedented second release for a US president.

US crude oil has tumbled 12 percent this month, dropping to the lowest since before a November UN report on Iran’s atomic program which kindled global fears.

Obama’s focus on the SPR carries risks: Republicans will blast the White House for using a national security tool to buy votes; Saudi Arabia and other OPEC allies may cry foul for having their market-balancing role usurped; and some consumer nations, like Germany, have resisted suggestions of using stockpiles.

“Last year, the president released 30 million barrels of the reserve to manipulate oil prices and has yet to refill it. Releasing even more this year only lessens our buffer and protection when a true crisis hits,” said Senator David Vitter, a Republican from Louisiana.

And it may do little to affect oil prices in the short-term: Analysts say many traders have priced in a likely release, and that right now, markets are well supplied.

But the message between the lines may ultimately be more important than the act itself, reinforcing a growing perception that Obama is leading a fundamental rethink of the strategic value of government crude.

Arutz Sheva spoke with some of the attendees at the conference of religious Zionist rabbis in Jerusalem.

Approximately a thousand religious Zionist rabbis, including old and young rabbis, community leaders, educators and rabbis in uniform, met on Thursday at the Ramada Renaissance Hotel in Jerusalem for a first of its kind Jerusalem Day conference.

Speakers included chief rabbis of cities and heads of yeshivas and Torah institutes, such as Rav Sheer Yashuv Cohen of Haifa,  Rav Yaakov Ariel of Ramat Gan, Rav Nachum Rabinowitz of Maaleh Adumim, Rav Zalman Baruch Melamed of Beit El, Rav Chaim Drukman of Ohr Etzion representing hesder yeshivas, Rav Yaakov Shapiro of Merkaz Harav, Rav Shmuel Eliyahu of Tsfat, Rav Yisrael Rosen of the Tsomet Halakhic Institute. Rabbi Aharon LIchtenstein of Har Etzion spoke by video.

The rabbinical conference, which was held in honor of Yom Yerushalayim (Jerusalem Reunification) Day, reunited 45 years ago in the Six Day War, dealt with the unity of Jerusalem and with unity in general.

“It was an unbelievable conference. If I hadn’t seen it I wouldn’t have believed it,” said Nissan Slomianski, a former MK for the National Religious Party.

Slomianski described how powerful it was to see so many rabbis, who have different opinions on different issues, gather and sit down together.

“It tells us that unity can certainly be reached and that it’s not only possible to reach unity, we must reach unity,” he said, adding, “I hope that this wonderful unity will also have an influence on the leaders and the politicians. I hope that there will be unity between us and our brothers in the National Union and that we run on one list to the Knesset in order to make the Torah great.”

Conference Co-organizer Rabbi Menachem Burstein, head of the Puah Institute, said that the conference marked “an historical day in which the people of Israel united and the flag bearers of religious Zionism who lead Israel in Torah, in the people and in the land united into one. At first we thought it was a dream. Today we saw that it’s a reality. It’s the great power of Jerusalem which turns all the people of Israel into friends.”

Rabbi Avi Gisser, Rabbi of the community of Ofra, said that the conference symbolized the mission of religious Zionism, which is “to have a Jewish State headed by the Torah and to be unique. To swear to Jerusalem that just as we are committed to Jerusalem, we are also committed to being unique in one group and to throw out all the differences.”

(Arutz Sheva’s North American Desk is keeping you updated until the start of Shabbat in New York. The time posted automatically on all Arutz Sheva articles, however, is Israeli time.)