Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said negotiations underway between the United States and Iran would “guarantee” that Tehran would get nuclear weapons, a threat not only to the Middle East but to the world.
In an appearance before the U.S. Congress that has drawn controversy, Netanyahu stressed to lawmakers the grave danger that a nuclear Iran poses to his country.
“If the deal now being negotiated is accepted by Iran, that deal will not prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons – it will all but guarantee that Iran will get those nuclear weapons – lots of them,” he said.
Iran is sponsoring terrorism around the world, Netanyahu said, adding that Tehran’s regime was “as radical as ever,” could not be trusted and the deal being worked out with the United States would not block Iran’s way to a bomb “but paves its way to a bomb.”
“We’ve been told that no deal is better than a bad deal. Well this is a bad deal, a very bad deal,” he said. “We’re better off without it.”
Netanyahu was given a rousing standing ovation as he arrived on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives Tuesday. He immediately tried to defuse the tension caused when House Speaker John Boehner invited him to speak without consulting the White House.
Regret over politicized event
“I regret that some see my appearance here as political,” he said, adding that he was grateful to President Barack Obama for his public and private support of Israel, including U.S. military assistance and contributions to Israel’s Iron Dome anti-missile system.
“We appreciate all that President Obama has done for Israel,” he added.
Nearly 60 Democratic members stayed away from the event, during which Netanyahu warned members that a nuclear deal being negotiated between the United States and Iran would threaten Israel’s security.
“Some people feel the prime minister should not be here at this time, because in a couple weeks there will be an election in Israel,” Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said. “My business is to find out what’s best for America when it comes to defending our nation. I do not think I can adequately do my job if I do not hear from the prime minister of Israel.”
Netanyahu said Iran and its leaders pose a threat not only to Israel and the Middle East, but also to nations worldwide and called for action over Iran’s nuclear program.
Many of Netanyahu’s comments were greeted by loud applause from U.S. lawmakers, and not just Republicans. But not everyone was persuaded by his rhetoric.
House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi of California conspicuously refrained from applauding on several occasions. And when the Israeli leader called for holding out for a better deal with Iran, she shook her head in disagreement.
“As one who values the U.S.-Israel relationship, and loves Israel, I was near tears throughout the prime minister’s speech — saddened by the insult to the intelligence of the United States as part of the P5 +1 nations, and saddened by the condescension toward our knowledge of the threat posed by Iran and our broader commitment to preventing nuclear proliferation,” Pelosi said in a statement.
“Today, Prime Minister Netanyahu reiterated something we all agree upon: a nuclear armed Iran is unacceptable to both our countries. We have all said that a bad deal is worse than no deal, and stopping the spread of nuclear weapons is the bedrock of our foreign policy and national security,” she added.
Iran sanctions
Netanyahu, who faces a closely contested March 17 election in Israel, said he thinks the so-called P5+1 group of global powers is planning to ease international sanctions without the ironclad safeguards needed to deny Tehran a nuclear bomb.
As a result, he predicted Iran would be able to finance more terrorism in the region and the world.
The U.S. administration says that is just not true, and warned that Netanyahu’s speech could unravel the negotiations if he mobilizes U.S. lawmakers in the Republican-held Congress against it.
Democratic Senator Dick Durbin said earlier Tuesday, “We [Democrats and Republicans] are in common purpose: to stop the development of a nuclear Iran. What troubles me greatly are the criticisms I have heard on this floor about the Obama administration and this issue. President Obama has made it clear from the start: he is opposed to having a nuclear Iran,” Durbin said.
“In fact, it was President Obama who really brought together the sanctions regime that is working to bring Iran to the negotiating table. … We have to concede the obvious: were it not for the president’s dogged determination, we would not have this alliance, this coalition imposing sanctions on Iran today that have made a difference,” he added.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Tuesday that Netanyahu is trying to affect negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program with his upcoming address to both chambers of the U.S. Congress.
“He’s trying to, and I don’t think trying to create tension and conflict helps anyone,” Zarif said to CNN outside talks in Switzerland with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry.
Earlier Tuesday, White House senior adviser Valerie Jarrett suggested Obama would not watch the speech, telling MSNBC, “He’s got a full day today.”
Obama was scheduled to take part in a video conference with European leaders on the Ukraine crisis about a half-hour after the Israeli leader began speaking.
Michael Bowman contributed to this report. Some material for this report came from Reuters, AP and AFP.
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