Economy Minister Naftali Bennett: “Israel will protect itself and its citizens.” (Tomer Neuberg/Flash90)
“Such a deal would not block Iran’s path to the bomb. It would pave it. It would increase the risks of nuclear proliferation in the region and the risks of a horrific war.” – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
The Israeli cabinet, following a three-hour emergency meeting on Friday, was unanimous in its rejection of the framework nuclear deal achieved between the P5+1 and Iran a day earlier.
“The deal would not shut down a single nuclear facility in Iran, would not destroy a single centrifuge in Iran and will not stop R&D on Iran’s advanced centrifuges,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared after the meeting.
“On the contrary. The deal would legitimize Iran’s illegal nuclear program. It would leave Iran with a vast nuclear infrastructure.
“Such a deal would not block Iran’s path to the bomb,” he continued. “It would pave it. It would increase the risks of nuclear proliferation in the region and the risks of a horrific war. The alternative is standing firm and increasing the pressure on Iran until a better deal is achieved.”
‘The Survival of Israel is Non-Negotiable’
“Just two days ago, Iran said that ‘the destruction of Israel is non-negotiable,’ Netanyahu said. “Well, I want to make clear to all. The survival of Israel is non-negotiable. Israel will not accept an agreement which allows a country that vows to annihilate us to develop nuclear weapons, period.
“In addition, Israel demands that any final agreement with Iran will include a clear and unambiguous Iranian recognition of Israel’s right to exist.”
‘Peace in Our Time, 2015’
Economy Minister Naftali Bennett condemned the deal, calling it “Peace in our time, 2015.” He was referring to the tragic Munich Agreement signed by Germany, Great Britain, France and Italy in September 1938 – a year before the start of World War II – permitting Nazi Germany’s annexation of portions of Czechoslovakia. Then British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain promised it would bring “peace for our time,” and the phrase has become associated with appeasement.
Yair Lapid, chairperson, Yesh Atid party. (Miriam Alster/Flash90)
“The world’s most radical Islamic terror regime received today an official kosher stamp for its illicit nuclear program,” Bennett stated. “This is a regime that cannot be trusted and which has already violated consecutive UN resolutions,” he said. “Today’s deal paves the way for Iran to eventually obtain a nuclear weapon, to further destabilize the Middle East and to continue spreading terror across the globe.
“Today, it is important to stress: Deal or no deal, Israel will do what is needed to protect itself and its citizens,” he vowed.
‘No Opposition on Iranian Issue’
Yair Lapid, chairman of opposition party Yesh Atid, affirmed that “on the Iranian nuclear issue there is no opposition and coalition. We are all concerned that the Iranians will circumvent the deal and Israel must protect its own security interests. The ayatollah’s regime has been peddling fraud and deception for years and progressing with its nuclear program. They will try, from day one, to cheat the international community as they have done in the past. There is no basis to the determination that today Iran was prevented from attaining a nuclear weapon. Israel needs to work with the United States and the international community to ensure there is no Iranian fraud, something which would threaten Israel’s security and that of the world.”
Intelligence Minister Yuval Steinitz condemned the agreement as “disconnected from the sad reality” of growing violence in the region. ”
By: United with Israel Staff