Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu rips deal with Iran

JERUSALEM – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he and his Cabinet are united in “strongly opposing” an emerging framework agreement on curbing Iran’s nuclear program and demanded that any final deal contain Iranian recognition of Israel’s right to exist.

Netanyahu has harshly criticized the negotiations, demanding instead that the Iranian program be dismantled. He claims Iran cannot be trusted, and that leaving certain facilities intact would allow the Iranians to eventually build a bomb.

However, it appears unlikely Israel will be able to prevent the final deal amid broad international support for such an agreement.

On Friday, the eve of the Jewish Passover holiday, Netanyahu convened his Cabinet for a special session to discuss the emerging framework.

Netanyahu said after the session that “Israel will not accept an agreement which allows a country that vows to annihilate us to develop nuclear weapons, period.”

However, he also acknowledged the possibility of a final agreement being reached, saying that such a deal must “include a clear and unambiguous Iranian recognition of Israel’s right to exist.”

Associated Press