By: Kanwal Abidi
Political Journalist
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dedicated a
large part of his speech on Dec.18 at the Likud Party convention to the
Iranian nuclear program. He behaved in an alien way, dismayed by the Iran deal
- as if “no agreement” had been signed between the world powers and Iran. He
carried same old threatening tone with the bottom line that “Israel
will not accept a nuclear bomb.”
The Likud activists present at the party
convention did not welcome the Netanyahu’s speech about Iran and termed it as an
anachronistic speech, lacking in vision, and most of all, detached from the
international reality
In Washington, the decision to turn
a new chapter in relations with Iran, for the first time in decade has, begun
to repair operational, bureaucratic and ideological constraints that have
defined US policies in the region. Consequently, there is more room for
critical thinking by the Washington policymaking bureaucracy.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s lack
of insight towards Obama’s efforts on Natanz and Itamar – could result him to
troubles in the months ahead.
The mere significance of the fact that “world powers are giving diplomacy a
chance”, but only in Netanyahu’s world the diplomacy time clock been
frozen.
During an October visit to Rome,
Netanyahu acknowledged that “the solution of the Iranian issue may have a
decisive influence on the Palestinian issue — for bad and for good.” Obama has
left no doubt that the train on Iran has left the station, apparently without
Netanyahu aboard.
Keeping Israel happy on the grounds,
President Obama, therefore, stated in a recent address on 8 Dec in Washington
that “the United States’ military cooperation with Israel has never been
stronger. Our intelligence cooperation with Israel has never been stronger. Our
support of Israel’s security has never been stronger."
PM Netanyahu responded to the
flattery words of Obama not with zest and fervor, but exhibited serious cause
of concerns over Natanz – the Iranian nuclear fuel enrichment site and Itamar –
one of the Israeli settlements in the west bank.
There are widespread fears fewer in
number but more virulent, of the relationship between Natanz and Itamar, that
is, the connection between Iran’s relations with the West and Israel-Palestine
peace. Upon this issue, John Kerry remarks leaves no doubt that the Obama
administration considers these two threats to regional security to be
conceptually connected.
In both Natanz and Itamar, US is
adopting the standard of increasing mutual security through agreement — not
through war, or by force, or continuing occupation — and enabling a US-led
diplomacy to create a stable framework for peace that will in each case
increase Israel's security. Netanyahu sees only the looming dangers of
this holistic connection and the challenges it presents to the world.
President Obama in his
year - end news conference, from the White House, on 20 Dec, Friday, spoke on
various issues of Obamacare, health laws and diplomacy pursued with the Iran.
Obama categorically stated few facts and came out forceful in his speech that “America has nothing to fear from Iran.”
“We lose nothing under
this negotiation deal” stated Obama and further added “if negotiations would fail – Iran knows very well, they can come under
high economic pressure.” He assured the American nation that we can do it
in “one day” any day to burden Iran,
once again by the sanctions. American
political analysts’ state that in Obama’s speech was a hidden message for
Netanyahu that he does not need to worry about Iran anymore - as he has
everything under the table set to
At the end, he wished his nation and the world
a “happy new Year” with a concrete
and a definite message of “diplomacy as an end unto itself.” But,
on the other hand, PM Netanyahu has serious reservations for Iran and US
diplomacy game and has left the message that “Deal is a Christmas present” for @Iran.
*………………………………*………………………………….*
KANWAL ABIDI
Political Analyst & Journalist / President Mishal Welfare Trust /
Peace Activist
Twitter @KANWALanalyst
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