BICOM

A week after his address to Congress, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed yesterday that there is increasing support for Israel’s opposition to the emerging nuclear deal with Iran.

Netanyahu outlined during his speech reasons why the nascent agreement between the P5+1 powers (US, UK, France, Russia, China and Germany) and Iran would leave Tehran poised to develop nuclear weapons. In particular, Netanyahu pointed to a short break out time and the lack of any contingency following the expiration of the proposed agreement after ten years. US President Barack Obama responded by asking Netanyahu to present an alternative.

During a visit yesterday to an IDF regional headquarters in the West Bank, Netanyahu reiterated his position, saying “The agreement being formulated between the major powers and Iran gives a clear path to Iran to achieve a nuclear bomb,” adding “a better agreement must be sought.” He also said “there are more and more voices, especially in the US, but also in other places” supporting his position.

At the same time, a group of 47 Republican Senators authored a joint letter addressed to the Iranian leadership, warning that even if a nuclear deal is agreed, it could be rescinded once President Obama leaves office, as it would not constitute an official treaty. The letter was roundly condemned by Administration officials, including Vice President Joe Biden, who said it was “expressly designed to undercut a sitting president in the midst of sensitive international negotiations.”

Meanwhile, Amos Yadlin, the Zionist Camp’s candidate for defence minister said that Netanyahu had in fact undercut US bilateral support for tougher action on Iran and that what is needed is to “sit with our American friends and allies” and work out exactly what constitutes a bad deal and how to respond if it is infringed. He explained, “We must develop a parallel agreement in which we, along with the Americans, establish a course of action to be taken if the Iranians violate the agreement.”