Israeli government, opposition reject Iranian nuclear deal

Both the Israeli ruling party and opposition announced yesterday their rejection of the Iranian nuclear deal which was reached this week, the Anadolu Agency reported.

Commenting on the deal, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with his reduced security cabinet and said the deal was “bad”.

The official Israeli radio reported Netanyahu pledging to “deter Iran’s nuclear ambitions”.

Israeli Defence Minister Moshe Ya’alon said that the deal gives Iran the chance to “remain at the threshold of becoming a nuclear power and produce nuclear bombs whenever it wanted, while no one can prevent it.”

According to radio station, Ya’alon said Israel is committed to preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. “Israel knows how to defend itself,” he added.

Meanwhile, Labor leader Isaac Herzog severely criticised the deal saying: “The deal jeopardises Israel’s interests.”

Herzog blamed Netanyahu for the deal, saying that “personal difference between him and the American President Barack Obama” were the cause.

He called for “patience” and “self-control” until the terms of the whole deal were checked. He also called for talking with “pragmatic” Arab countries regarding “regional security”.

Meritz leader Zahava Gal-On accused Netanyahu of isolating Israel globally.