Israel berated the unanimous UN Security Council decision to lift sanctions on Iran as hypocrisy and a strategic error that endangers global stability.
Israel’s leadership reacted harshly to the unanimous vote at the UN Security Council (UNSC) on Monday that authorized a series of measures – as part of the implementation of the nuclear deal with the Islamic Republic – leading to the end of UN sanctions on Iran’s economy.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the UNSC’s boundless “hypocrisy.”
Netanyahu: ‘Hypocrisy Knows No Bounds’
“On the day on which the ruler of Iran has reiterated his intention to destroy the State of Israel, the UN Security Council is giving its approval to that same country, which has systematically violated the UNSC’s decisions and which calls for the destruction of Israel, a member of the UN. The hypocrisy knows no bounds.”
The UN Security Council votes in favor of a resolution approving the Iran nuclear deal. (AP/Mark Lennihan)
Speaking at the Knesset on Monday, Netanyahu said the best way to fight hypocrisy is to tell the truth “in a strong and unified manner.”
The truth is that the agreement brings war closer, “first, because Iran will receive hundreds of billions of dollars and it is already openly declaring that it will use this money to finance and arm its terrorist movements and its aggression in the region and around the world. Second, there will be a nuclear arms race in the Middle East.”
“They also say that a UN decision is the end of the story. This is not true, because as long as US Congressional sanctions are in place – and I remind you that the American economy is 40 times as large as the Iranian economy – Iran will be compelled in the end to make concessions, and not just receive them,” the Israeli premier pointed out.
Relating to Israel’s seemingly lonely stand against the world on the Iranian nuclear issue, Netanyahu said that was a misconception. “Many in the Middle East see eye-to-eye with Israel and concur that this agreement is dangerous, dangerous to them, dangerous to the region and dangerous to the world.”
“History has already proven that when the world is united it is not necessarily right,” Netanyahu asserted. “Just a few years ago there was broad international agreement on a nuclear agreement with North Korea and today North Korea has approximately a dozen nuclear bombs and it is on the way to attaining many more. This truth must be said loud and clear because the truth serves the interests of Israel.”
Prosor: ‘A Very Sad Day for the World’
UNSC representatives who voted in favor of the lifting of the sanctions on Iran lauded the decision as “the turning of a new page” and expressed hope for a better future.
Israeli Ambassador to the UN Ron Prosor, speaking to reporters, said it was “a very sad day for Israel and the entire world,” as the UN rushed to lift the sanctions on Iran without waiting for its compliance with the deal.
“Today, you have awarded a great prize to the most dangerous country in the world,” he stated. “I hate to be the one who spoils the party, but someone has to say that the emperor has no clothes. Today is a very sad day. Not only for the state of Israel, but for the entire world, even if at this moment the international community refuses to see the tragedy.”
“It is a sad day because this agreement gives Iran a seat on the commission which will decide whether or not it has violated the agreement. This is like allowing a criminal to sit on the jury which will decide his own fate,” he explained.
International Community has a ‘Bad Track Record’
“You haven’t changed Iran’s destructive ideology, which goes beyond proliferating deadly weapons and funding terror. It is not only that you have not cured the symptoms, you have strengthened the source of the problem. You have given the source of the problem – Iran – money, stability at home and time to carry out its destructive ideology,” Prosor charged.
The international community has a “bad track record” when it comes to seeing impending disasters, he noted, “even when it is right in front of your eyes.”
“Good intentions too often leads to wishful thinking. Look at what happened with the Arab Spring, how so many people were absolutely convinced that we were at the dawn of a new Middle East. Think back, how many people praised Assad, who studied ophthalmology in London, as a reformer, who would change the economy of Syria – and quite a change it has been….
“And all those who at that time dared to say they see things a bit differently were branded as without imagination, without creativity and unable to escape old paradigms.”
This was the case regarding the nuclear deal with North Korea, which led to the expansion of its nuclear program, Prosor continued. “I’m sure that many of you, many around here, do not feel more secure in the world today.”
Prosor presented a map of the world charting “Iran’s Empire of Terror.” Recounting the history of Iran’s global terror activities, he said that one “can find Iran’s fingerprints in every corner of the globe, targeting innocent civilians, smuggling arms, financing terrorist groups, and engaging in illegal proliferation activity.”
“What did the world do to respond to Iran’s growing empire of terror? It voted to empower it. It voted to strengthen it. It voted to fund their expansion,” he declared, warning that the Islamic Republic will expand its reign of terror around the world. “If the international community refuses to see this as a tragedy, that is a grave strategic error. But if it is aware of the tragedy, and it still chooses to pursue this dangerous path, that is a catastrophe.”
‘The Villain is Laughing’
“I would like to say that the Iranians are metaphorically laughing in everyone’s face, but the sad part is that this time it is not a metaphor,” Prosor said. “When the villain is laughing, you know something is wrong. Friends, the villain is laughing, and his laughter echoes throughout the world. Loudly and clearly….
“In future years, the consequences of this mistake will become clear to all, but for Israel, tomorrow is already too late.”
By: Max Gelber, United with Israel The US Congress must ensure that sanctions against Iran remain in force until the nuclear threat is completely eliminated. I strongly oppose easing sanctions before the nuclear threat from Iran has been eliminated. Allowing Iran to enrich uranium without being subject to 'anytime, anywhere' inspections is extremely dangerous and unacceptable. Iran's nuclear program must be stopped.
Sign the Petition to Stop a Nuclear Iran