Netanyahu: Iran's regime is 'not merely a Jewish problem'
Part 1 of Israeli prime minister's address to joint meeting of Congress
After weeks of protracted debate over whether Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin “Bibi” Netanyahu should address a joint meeting of Congress the time finally came for his speech.
And Bibi delivered.
In light of the beheadings of American citizens by ISIS and their ever-increasing campaign in the Middle East and in the West, we can’t afford to let Iran become a nuclear power.
He began by thanking key members of Congress and, especially, cited Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid for his support and friendship, an obvious nod to a Democratic party that has been divided by Netanyahu’s decision to come to Washington despite White House protestation.
In light of the beheadings of American citizens by ISIS and their ever-increasing campaign in the Middle East and in the West, we can’t afford to let Iran become a nuclear power.
In the end, 55 Democrats didn’t attend the speech – a far larger number than was projected. But the room was full and I know that those who were there benefitted from hearing Netanyahu’s warnings on Iranian aggression, their nuclear program and the repercussions for Israel and the world.
As Secretary of State John Kerry negotiates with the Iranians in Switzerland, Netanyahu detailed Iran’s clear path to a nuclear bomb whether the deal is signed or not.
“This deal will not change Iran for the better. It will only change the Middle East for the worse,” Netanyahu said. “The deal will all but guarantee that Iran gets nuclear weapons. If the deal is signed, they’re only a year away from the bomb.”
According to the Israeli Prime Minister, Iran operates secret nuclear facilities – a reality that John Kerry has spoken to in the past. According to estimates, Iran could have 190,000 centrifuges enriching uranium in a matter of weeks.
But the overarching message of Netanyahu’s address was that things will certainly be worse with a deal in place as it gives the Iranians a cover that they will continue to flagrantly violate while still appearing to be invested in the diplomatic process.
Iran needs the deal more than America does. This is why we need to continue to apply pressure on them and to keep up the sanctions.
Netanyahu was defiant that we can get a better deal with the Iranians. A deal that doesn’t allow them to continue to enrich uranium and hold onto their vast nuclear structure.
A deal that Iran’s neighbors can live with is possible. But the deal on the table ignores Iran’s rampant aggression and nuclear ambitions. It also does not take into account Iranian intent to eradicate Israel and the Jewish people.
To this end, Netanyahu said, “The Iranian Supreme leader tweets that Israel must be destroyed. He tweets it,” demonstrating the callousness with which the Iranians treat our strongest Democratic ally and millions of people worldwide.
To be clear, it’s not just the Jews that the Iranians want to see eradicated. As Netanyahu explained, the philosophy of the Iranian regime is deeply rooted in radical Islam. “The battle between Iran and ISIS doesn’t turn Iran into a friend of America – they’re competing for the crown of militant Islam. Both [groups] want to impose a militant Islamic empire. [They] just disagree amongst themselves who will rule the empire.”
In light of the beheadings of American citizens by ISIS and their ever-increasing campaign in the Middle East and in the West, we can’t afford to let Iran become a nuclear power.
Iran’s “march of conquest, subjugation and terror,” as Netanyahu put it, will not stop.
The Jewish people can defend themselves. And though Netanyahu said that Israel will stand alone if they need to, he reminded us all that America stands with Israel, too.
We should be doing more to make that clear each and every day.
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