Israeli President: Netanyahu's Opposition to Iran Deal Has Isolated Us

Reuven Rivlin, the President of Israel, stated in interviews published on Thursday, August 6, that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's excessive opposition to the Iran nuclear deal has led to Israel's isolation. The ceremonial president criticized Netanyahu's campaign against the nuclear agreement between Iran and six world powers in separate interviews with three newspapers, asserting that these actions harm Israel. Rivlin expressed to the 'Ma'ariv' newspaper: 'I am very concerned about the polarization between Barack Obama (the President of the United States) and Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as the relations between Israel and the United States.' He added, 'I must say that he (Netanyahu) knows the United States better than I do, but nonetheless, we have largely isolated ourselves in the world.' He indicated that the Israeli Prime Minister has launched a campaign against the U.S. government that seems to suggest both sides are equal, but such an approach could 'harm' Israel. According to Reuters, this is the strongest critical stance Rivlin has taken against Netanyahu since his election as President of Israel last year. Rivlin also told the 'Haaretz' newspaper: 'I have told him (Netanyahu), and I will tell you, these struggles and efforts, no matter how justified they may be, will ultimately cost Israel.' Barack Obama, in his speech on Wednesday, defended the nuclear deal with Iran while criticizing Netanyahu's approach to it, stating that he disagrees with Netanyahu regarding this agreement. The U.S. President said that a nuclear-armed Iran is far more dangerous to Israel and the U.S. than an Iran that eventually emerges from sanctions. Rivlin also urged Netanyahu in an interview with 'Yedioth Ahronoth' to repair his relationship with Barack Obama. He stated, 'I think both have similar personalities... and it is not good to harm each other to the detriment of the U.S. and Israel.' The U.S. Congress is currently reviewing the Iran nuclear deal, while Netanyahu has made extensive efforts to reject this agreement. According to media reports, August, from July 31 to September 21, will be a serious battleground for the conflict between Israel and the U.S. over the nuclear deal with Iran.