Jerusalem – In his sharpest criticism yet, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday that world powers “have given up” on stopping Iran from developing nuclear weapons in ongoing negotiations.
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Netanyahu’s comments, at a meeting of his Likud Party outside of Jerusalem, come as he plans to address the U.S. Congress on the nuclear negotiations.
The West fears Iran could build an atomic bomb with its nuclear program. Iran says its program is for peaceful purposes. The Islamic Republic is now negotiating a final deal with the U.S., Britain, France, Russia, China and Germany, with hopes of on a preliminary deal in March and a follow-up pact in June.
Netanyahu, as well as many in Israel, view a nuclear-armed Iran as a threat to its very existence, citing Tehran’s repeated calls for Israel’s destruction and its support for groups like Hezbollah.
In his remarks, Netanyahu said that the greatest challenge Israel faces is “the threat of Iran arming itself with nuclear weapons with a declared goal of annihilating us.”
“From the agreement that is forming it appears that they (world powers) have given up on that commitment and are accepting that Iran will gradually, within a few years, develop capabilities to produce material for many nuclear weapons,” he said. “They might accept this but I am not willing to accept this.”
Netanyahu’s remarks come amid an uproar over his upcoming visit to Washington. He accepted a Republican invitation to address Congress about Iran in early March, but the speech has angered the Obama administration because it was arranged without consulting the White House, a breach of diplomatic protocol.
Relations between Netanyahu and the White House always have been tense. His planned speech also has drawn fire in Israel, coming just two weeks before national elections. Netanyahu has rejected the criticism, saying it is his duty to lobby against the nuclear deal.
It’s crazy after all these years of Israel trying to have diplomatic ties with the world, Israel is all by it self al pi derech hateva. Haim am levadad yiskon. Even the US is giving Netanyahu such a hard time over a simple speech. When someone might be in danger does he worry that he shouldn’t try to save himself because of some protocol. iran is very dangerous and I think that tackling the issue is more important than some protocol. It’s like letting a serial killer out of prisioners because of a glitch. May we see the Geulah Shelaima soon.
Bibi=the boy who cried wolf.
For those of you relying on Obama telling the truth (hasn’t happened yet), how can a Jew be so dumb to put our very existence in the hands of people who have done everything, since day one, to harm us and then besmirch someone who is responsible for our safety. It shows how little you really care.
You guys would have been part of Korach’s group or the Eirav Rav. You’d side with Eisav and Amaleik against Bnai Yisroel. What is wrong with you?
Bib’s warnings are being proven correct with all the information filtering out. Remember Chamberlain’s “peace in our times” comment. Haven’t you learned anything?
There are times you have to take a stand no matter what anyone says. The world only loves a dead Jew. I guess you agree with them.
B”H, we have Hashem protecting us. If we’d have to rely on you, we’d all be dead.