Israeli Prime Minister's Consultation with European Leaders Regarding Protests in Iran

The Israeli Prime Minister's office has informed the media that Benjamin Netanyahu, on Friday, January 5, and in the days prior, communicated via telephone with several leaders of European countries to discuss the situation in the Middle East in light of the ongoing anti-government protests in Iran. According to reports, Mr. Netanyahu had separate phone conversations with Angela Merkel, the Chancellor of Germany, Theresa May, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Mateusz Morawiecki, the Prime Minister of Poland, as well as Klaus Iohannis and Liviu Dragnea, the President and Speaker of the Romanian Parliament. However, Israeli media reports did not provide further details on the discussions exchanged during Mr. Netanyahu's conversations with his high-ranking European counterparts regarding Iran. Last Monday, the Israeli Prime Minister harshly criticized European countries for their silence in the face of the 'uprising of the Iranian people.' Reports from Israeli media suggest that Netanyahu's phone conversations with European leaders took place before a special meeting of the Security Council on Friday evening concerning the unrest in Iran. In the emergency Security Council meeting, called at the request of Nikki Haley, the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, it was emphasized that the world is monitoring the human rights situation in Iran. Meanwhile, bringing the issue of Iran's unrest to the extraordinary Security Council meeting drew criticism from several Security Council members, particularly from Russia. Francois Delattre, the French Ambassador to the UN, also stated at this meeting that the events in Iran cannot be considered 'a threat to world peace and security.' Previously, Emmanuel Macron, the President of France, had said that the tone of remarks from U.S., Saudi, and Israeli leaders regarding Iran could lead them towards war with Iran. Israel remained silent in response to Macron's comments, but the stance of Margot Wallström, the Swedish Foreign Minister, whose country is a non-permanent member of the Security Council and deemed the discussion of Iran's unrest in the emergency meeting unnecessary, faced criticism from Israelis and their supporters. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani last Monday identified Israel, the U.S., and some regional actors as the hidden hands behind the unrest in his country. However, Mr. Netanyahu dismissed President Rouhani's claims as 'ridiculous,' stating that 'brave Iranians are taking to the streets to achieve justice and fundamental freedoms from which they have been deprived for decades.' Avigdor Lieberman, Israel's Defense Minister, also said on Tuesday that the world will one day be 'free from the Iranian regime.' Israel and Iran, the two main enemies in recent decades in the Middle East, are pleased with the weakening of each other's governments. Ben Caspit, an Israeli journalist, wrote last week in an article on the Monitor website, citing statements from his country's intelligence officials, that the protests in Iran have 'real reasons' and regardless of their outcome, have confronted Tehran's leaders with a new reality, although Israeli officials know they should not have unrealistic hopes.