Netanyahu Calls for Reducing Divisions Among Jews Following Nuclear Agreement

The Prime Minister of Israel, who traveled to Washington to meet with the U.S. President and Secretary of State, told American Jews that it is time to 'heal the wounds' caused by last year's rift among Jews over Iran's nuclear program. According to Reuters, Benjamin Netanyahu stated during a speech at the North American Jewish Federation on November 9 that one of the most challenging years has passed, but now unity among Jews is of utmost importance, and the aforementioned rift is no longer a matter of the past. Netanyahu made these remarks a day after meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama. The meeting on November 8 at the White House was seen as an effort to overcome the deep disagreements between the Israeli and U.S. governments regarding the agreement with Iran. Netanyahu did not mention his opposition to the nuclear agreement with Iran while standing next to Obama in front of reporters. Meanwhile, Obama briefly stated, 'Our disagreement over the Iran agreement was not a secret, but what both countries agree on is preventing Iran from acquiring military nuclear capabilities and Iran's actions in destabilizing the region.' During the period of improving relations with the U.S., Israel is awaiting an increase in American military aid to its army due to 'increased risks' following the lifting of sanctions on Iran. The disagreements between Netanyahu and Obama over Iran in the past year have also had profound effects on American Jews and their powerful organizations. Several prominent Democratic senators in the U.S. Congress have aligned with the Israeli Prime Minister against the nuclear agreement with Iran, standing against the government they themselves supported. However, in his speech on Tuesday in Washington, Netanyahu referred to the rift among American Jews regarding support for Israel's stance on Iran or their alignment with the U.S. government, stating that regardless of these disagreements, maintaining unity among Jews is the most important principle. The Israeli Prime Minister expressed gratitude for 'America's commitment to Israel's security' and said, 'Mr. President, thank you.' Obama had told Netanyahu during their meeting that Israel is a priority for the U.S. The two leaders discussed regional issues, including ISIS and Hezbollah, and bilateral relations for two and a half hours, forty-five minutes longer than the previously scheduled time. In his speech on Tuesday to members of the North American Jewish Federation, which includes Jews from the United States and Canada, Netanyahu also addressed internal Jewish issues. Some North American Jews have a liberal lifestyle and distance themselves from the restrictions of Orthodox Judaism. However, Netanyahu told them that Israel is a home for both Reform and Orthodox Jews, and in this regard, a working group of his ministers has been tasked with addressing the disputes. On the other hand, Israeli media reported that Netanyahu's remarks have displeased ultra-Orthodox parties in his government coalition, which condemn Reform Judaism and consider it distant from true Judaism. Ministers and Torah Judaism parties have told Israeli media that they will 'question' Netanyahu upon his return to Israel.