Iran nuclear deal sets up clash between Israel, U. K.
Israel’s prime minister and the British foreign secretary publicly sparred over the nuclear deal with Iran on Thursday, veering off prepared comments to exchange sharply different positions toward the agreement.
The awkward encounter reflected two world views: Western powers hope the deal can eventually moderate Iran and bring it back into the international community, while Israel believes Iran will use any new- found legitimacy as cover to strengthen militant groups and further destabilize the region.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu battled unsuccessfully to scuttle what he called “a bad deal,” insisting that any sanctions relief would provide Iran with a “cash bonanza” that will make it easier for the Islamic Republic to continue to support Israel’s enemies, including the Lebanese Hezbollah Shiite militant group and the Palestinian group Hamas, and meddle in proxy conflicts in the Middle East.
In his appearance with Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond Thursday, Netanyahu expressed concern that the deal does not seek to link sanctions relief to Iran’s conduct.
“We would have wanted to see a deal that says the following: ‘ Iran, you will get the easing on the restrictions on your nuclear program, and you will get sanctions relief if you change your behaviour first,’ ” Netanyahu told Hammond, saying he found it “perplexing” that the deal does not address repeated calls by Iranian leaders for Israel’s destruction.
Canada and Arab countries similarly have been skeptical of the deal, and also worry that it gives Iran the means — and an implicit green light — to expand its influence in the region.
“We are not naive about this,” Hammond said.
Netanyahu and Hammond each read from prepared notes before engaging in an awkward back- andforth that extended what is usually a standard, brief public appearance into a spirited debate.