BENJAMIN Netanyahu’s speech to a joint session of the US Congress on Tuesday is a prime example of how international diplomacy should not be conducted. It was a strange situation: the leader of a foreign nation was challenging the policies of the US president in America’s national legislature.

This bizarre event clearly shows the power Israel yields over a large section of the US political establishment. Mr Netanyahu had a largely one-dimensional message: there should be no nuclear deal between Iran and the P5+1.

Not only was this political stunt — legislative elections are due shortly in Israel — a clumsy attempt to sabotage the nuclear negotiations, it was also blatant interference in America’s domestic affairs.

Also read: Israeli PM warns US against Iran nuclear deal

Barack Obama’s dislike of the episode was illustrated by his total snub of the Israeli leader, while House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi described the speech as an “insult” to American intelligence.

Tehran, understandably, termed the address “Iranophobic”. The speech was little more than scare-mongering, using such a distinguished platform to make sweeping statements about a “nuclear nightmare” should Iran develop the bomb.

Moreover, Mr Netanyahu has made misleading statements about the alleged Iranian bomb earlier, most notably before the UN. The address also illustrated a clear division within the US political establishment as over 50 Democrats boycotted the speech; this is a rare departure from the usual bipartisan support Tel Aviv gets in Washington.

Yet despite the dissent Mr Netanyahu received several ovations from the representatives of the American people.

While Benjamin Netanyahu’s compulsions may have been to show Israeli voters and Tel Aviv’s friends in Washington that he wants to appear tough on Iran, such theatrics must not affect the nuclear negotiations.

Tehran has a right to pursue peaceful nuclear power while the prospect of more nuclear weapons in the Middle East would be an unwelcome addition to a volatile region.

Hence diplomacy should be the only channel pursued to ensure Iran gets a fair deal and that the concerns of its neighbours and the West are sufficiently addressed.

Published in Dawn March 5th , 2015

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