Biden to American Jewish Leaders: See the Realities of the Nuclear Agreement

Joe Biden, the Vice President of the United States, has urged American Jewish leaders to recognize the 'realities' of the nuclear agreement announced between Iran and world powers, even if they oppose it. According to the Huffington Post and Israeli media reports on Saturday, July 25, Biden made these remarks during a meeting with American Jewish leaders gathered in New York. Biden told about a thousand American Jewish figures, 'If you say you do not support the agreement, that is understandable, but look at the facts, set aside political motivations, and give the agreement a chance to succeed.' According to Biden, this agreement is 'very strong' and makes Israel, the U.S., and the region 'safer.' He reminded that throughout his decades of political activity, he has always been a 'strong supporter of Israel' and added, 'No one should doubt my commitment to Israel,' and he does not intend to support an agreement that harms Israel. On Wednesday, July 15, he also told Democratic members of the U.S. Congress that if the United States halted progress toward a final nuclear agreement with Iran, 'the entire sanctions program would collapse.' He explained that 'there is nothing in the nuclear agreement with Iran that eliminates the military option against Tehran.' John Kerry, the U.S. Secretary of State, also met with this group of American Jews in New York on Friday, July 24, which, according to the New York Post, was described as a 'high-pressure' meeting due to severe criticisms from Jewish leaders regarding the agreement reached between Iran and the powers. Kerry warned Israel in an NBC interview on Friday not to consider attacking Iran's nuclear facilities, calling such an attack 'a very big mistake.' Kerry also stated in a speech at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York that if Congress rejects the nuclear agreement with Iran, Israel would be blamed and would become 'more isolated.' He noted that as a senator who has never voted against Israel during his entire congressional membership, he expresses these views. On the other hand, Avigdor Lieberman, leader of the right-wing party 'Israel Our Home,' stated that to address the 'Iran issue,' the Israeli Prime Minister must be replaced. According to the Sunday, July 25 issue of the Jerusalem Post, Lieberman said, 'Netanyahu is like a dog barking but not biting in creating a fuss over the 'Iranian case.' Lieberman told Yedioth Ahronoth on Friday that 'dealing with the Iranian nuclear issue is a shoe that is too big for Netanyahu.' He added, 'If you want to shoot, shoot; stop talking so much,' but he also noted, 'Netanyahu does not have the courage.' Lieberman was an ally of Netanyahu in two previous Israeli governments and held the position of Netanyahu's foreign minister and chief of staff for years. However, the New York Times reported on Saturday, July 25, citing 'an Israeli official' without naming him, that the country would continue to criticize the nuclear agreement and 'would not succumb to threats and pressures.' The Israeli Prime Minister has called the comprehensive nuclear agreement reached on July 14 between Iran and the P5+1 countries 'a historic mistake' and has made sharp criticisms of this treaty in meetings with several world leaders in the past ten days. Netanyahu has called on the U.S. Congress to reject the agreement with Iran. The Israeli government has received extensive political and financial support from organizations such as AIPAC and the Israeli Public Affairs Committee to achieve its goal. Meanwhile, the Washington administration is trying to persuade Congress, which is dominated by pro-Israel Republicans, to approve the final nuclear agreement with Iran.