Netanyahu pushes Iranian nuclear spy files to Europe
Israel has granted European spymasters access to parts of the Iranian nuclear files taken by Mossad from Tehran, before Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits Germany, France and Britain this week.
The European powers’ determination to uphold the 2015 Iran nuclear deal after United States President Donald Trump withdrew from the accord has dismayed Mr Netanyahu.
A briefing dossier for the trip shows key parts of the Iranian government’s work to convert the country’s nuclear development work into an atomic bomb. Israel said the material proved Iran harbours plans to build a weapon.
Protests are expected over the recent bloodshed on the Gaza border, where Israeli forces gunned down demonstrators asserting their right to return on the 70th anniversary of the Nakba expulsions. But the Israeli leader hopes to keep the focus of his visit on Israel’s preoccupation with Iran.
David Albright, a US expert on Iran’s nuclear programme, told The Times that memos among the material Israel took from Iran should prompt those still in the deal to set an ultimatum. The Israeli revelations underpinned his belief that Iran’s Fordow underground enrichment plant was designed to produce weapons-grade uranium.
He said Iran should now face demands for an audit of its military bases for hidden nuclear activity. “If it refuses then the Iran agreement should be discarded and the world should return to a pressure campaign and the reimposition of sanctions,” he said.
Mr Netanyahu began his tour by meeting German Chancellor Angela Merkel and will hold talks with French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Theresa May.
“I will meet there with three leaders and will discuss two subjects – Iran and Iran,” he said at the airport before leaving. “It could be that on this matter there isn’t a consensus right now but with time, in my opinion, that understanding will be reached.”
Peter Lintl, a German international relations expert, said the visit would probably do little to change minds in the short-term, especially in Berlin, which has trading ties with Iran. “Germany believes that the nuclear agreement with Iran was a step in the right direction,” Mr Lintl said. “Israel, on the other hand, says that the agreement offers Iran the opportunity to develop a nuclear bomb, even under the guise of alleged legitimacy.”
Israeli officials said Mr Netanyahu was ready to chip away at European support.
“There’s no secret that the prime minister wants to completely change the agreement and replace it with an agreement that covers the issues that are missing,” said Oded Eran, a former Israeli ambassador now working at the Institute for National Security Studies at Tel Aviv University.
“I don’t think that he will change the policy but maybe he will get a commitment to work on the missing points.”
The second aspect of the discussion on Iran is Syria, where Mr Netanyahu fears the establishment of a permanent military presence within striking distance of his country.
“Israel will continue to maintain full freedom of action in the country in accordance with its security needs,” he told a cabinet meeting before his departure.
Amid debate in France about the rise of anti-Semitism, Mr Netanyahu and Mr Macron are set to launch a far-reaching programme of cultural exchanges that will lead to about 400 events in both countries.
The leaders will take part in a gala titled Israel@Lights at the Grand Palais gallery on the Champs Elysees in Paris.
In Britain, concerns about anti-Semitism are focused at the political level, with the opposition Labour Party under fire for harbouring activists with hateful views.
The first official visit to Israel by a senior member of the royal family will take place when Prince William travels to the region in a few weeks.
Haaretz newspaper said it would lift one of the “black clouds” that had lingered since the end of the British mandate in Palestine in 1948.
“Israel’s foreign service considers the coming event to be a breakthrough,” the newspaper said. “On numerous occasions in the past, various individuals and organisations sought to invite the queen or representatives of the crown to Israel, but the Foreign Office blocked the moves.”
Talks will focus on allegations of Iranian nuclear activity and its presence in Syria