Nuclear Restraint from page 18
"wait until there's actually a deal on the table that Iran
has agreed to, at which point everybody can evaluate it;
we don't have to speculate. And what I can guarantee is
that if it's a deal I've signed off on, I will be able to prove
that it is the best way for us to prevent Iran from getting
a nuclear weapon."
Evaluating an actual deal is fine. But that shouldn't
preclude holding Iran's political feet to even hotter fires
of global scrutiny and sanctions in the meantime. Israel,
living in a politically and religiously combustible region,
isn't in a position to wait.
Obama has vowed the still-developing P5+1-Iran deal,
shepherded by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, would
be realistic and rigorous over the long haul as a way to
constrain and monitor the Islamic Republic's nuclear
conquests. Netanyahu has warned the deal is hollow and
dangerous. He claims it would leave Iran primed to dial
up the number of uranium enriching centrifuges — and
increase the Persian nation's capability to build a nuclear
warhead.
In the wake of the IAEA findings, it's clear whatever
preliminary deal the P5+1 cobbles together with Iran
must stand up to a dynamic and demanding review so
there's no doubt the yield is the best deal possible enter-
ing the June deadline for a final agreement.
It's foreboding that Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah
Ali Khamenei, a passionate Israel-hater, holds absolute
authority over any such agreement. ❑
Commentary
Seeking A Better
Nuclear Accord
sraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's
March 3 speech before a joint session of
Congress displayed the enduring strength of
the relationship between our two countries. The
numerous standing ovations were a clear indica-
tion of U.S.-Israel friendship. A key aspect of that
relationship is the current partnership to prevent
Iran from obtaining a nude-
,. ar weapon.
The Iranian regime is a
theocracy that exports ter-
ror, defies the international
community and threatens
Israel's very existence. Any
deal with Iran must require
all nuclear infrastructure be
dismantled amid ironclad
verification protocols, and
that the regime's behavior
Richard Krugel
must change to stop its
aggression in the region, its
worldwide terrorism and its
threats against Israel.
Therefore, a better deal needs to be sought.
Until then, sanctions must remain in place and
tougher sanctions should be standing at the
ready. Fl
Dr. Richard Krugel is president of the Jewish Community
Relations Council of Metropolitan Detroit.
Guest Column
Netanyahu's Speech
Politically Reckless
T
he question: Was it worth it?
The answer (very predictably): hardly.
The "it" is Israeli Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu's speech to Congress last
week. Israel will pay a dear price - and for
many years - for Netanyahu's dan-
gerous political gambit, particularly
if he is re-elected March 17.
This major issue is not what
Netanyahu said, but where he said
it. There is no argument here about
his message. He was passionate and
powerful, but he made a huge stra-
tegic mistake.
He could very well have given
the same speech to AIPAC the day
before, made identical arguments
and avoided the controversy over
the politics of his address. The con-
tents of the speech were predict-
able because he has made the same arguments
many times before.
But why did he have to be so politically reck-
less? To what end? What were his objectives?
He certainly is an astute politician and under-
stands that applause does not translate into
policy. He could have communicated his mes-
sage to members of Congress by many other
methods - and privately - which would have
been much more effective.
In addition, he changed the discussion from
the threat posed by a nuclear Iran to the
politics of whether he should have addressed
Congress.
Basically, he came to President Obama's
backyard and told him - and the world - that
he is naive and not very smart. He not only
insulted Obama, but he insulted all those law-
makers who might agree with the president's
views.
And, Netanyahu estranged lawmakers who
might oppose a deal with Iran but believe the
prime minister was more than politically incor-
rect; indeed, they might consider his action
politically offensive. Sometimes, true not
often, principle matters - even in politics.
Mincing no words, Netanyahu said, This is
a bad deal. A very bad deal. We're better off
without it." He may be right - and probably
is - but no president wants to be upbraided by
a guest in the chambers of the U.S. legislative
body.
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, react-
ing to the speech, said she was "near tears ...
saddened by the insult to the intelligence of
the United States." About 50 other Democrats
boycotted the speech, Democrats whose vote
Israel may need one day.
If it was Netanyahu's strategy to garner sup-
port for increased sanctions against Iran, he
weakened the possibility. Before he came to
Washington, it appeared that Congress might
very well pass legislation to punish Iran with
more economic restrictions, even though the
president has said he would veto such legisla-
tion.
Some who may have been prepared to vote
for more sanctions may now side with
the president because of what they
consider Netanyahu's distasteful poli-
tics.
What's more, political retaliation
can come in countless ways, under the
radar and hidden from public scrutiny.
Israel may not even realize, in many
instances, how it has been undermined.
If condemnation of Obama's Iran
strategy were not enough, Netanyahu
defiantly told the president that Israel
doesn't need the U.S. when he stated,
"... we, the Jewish people, can defend
ourselves."
This came after Netanyahu, at the beginning
of the speech, praised Obama for his assistance
in several crises, including providing missile
interceptors during the most recent Gaza con-
flict. He and Israel will rue those words the next
time he calls the U.S. for help. He gave those
who argue for a reduction in military hardware,
intelligence sharing and financial aid to Israel a
very potent argument.
Let us hope that Netanyahu's confidence is
never tested by Obama - or the next president.
❑
A veteran West Bloomfield journalist and author, Berl
Falbaum taught journalism part-time at Wayne State
University in Detroit for 45 years.
Dry Bones
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