Is Netanyahu out to foment war with Iran?

Binyamin Netanyahu’s latest hostile jab at the Obama administration, claiming the US has “given up” trying to prevent Iran developing nuclear weapons capability, enraged the secretary of state, John Kerry.

But, like many in Israel and the west, Kerry must be wondering: what does Israel’s pugnacious prime minister really want?

Netanyahu’s acceptance of the Republicans’ divisive invitation to address Congress next Tuesday dismayed Barack Obama and the Democrats, and triggered heated name-calling and mutual snubs.

The Israeli leader will use his speech to warn against the deal with Iran being negotiated by the US and its European allies. Obama is keen to bring Iran in from the cold. He believes detente with Tehran could radically change regional dynamics, help end the Syrian war and open the way to collaboration on fighting Islamic State (Isis).

Netanyahu believes a deal, on almost any terms, would pose an existential threat to Israel by allowing Iran to eventually acquire the bomb. “From the agreement that is forming, it appears that they have given up on their commitment [to stop Iran] and are accepting that Iran will gradually, within a few years, develop capabilities to produce material for many nuclear weapons,” Netanyahu told a meeting of his rightwing Likud party in the West Bank settlement of Ma’ale Adumim.

Kerry quickly slapped him down. It was premature to criticise a pact that was as yet incomplete, he said, echoing White House claims that Netanyahu was deliberately misrepresenting the US position. “He may have a judgment that just may not be correct here,” Kerry said.

Continue Reading: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/26/netanyahu-foment-war-iran-israel-us