Netanyahu: Iran Plans to Establish Permanent Military Bases and Weapons Factories in Syria

Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, who has traveled to the United States, emphasized during a speech at the annual AIPAC conference on Tuesday, March 6, that Iran is seeking to build permanent military bases and precision weapons factories in Syria, stating, "We must stop Iran and we will stop it." In his speech, Netanyahu illustrated Iran and its territories of influence in the Middle East in black on a map, claiming that Iran is "spreading darkness over the region; and wants to create a land and air corridor from Tehran to the extent of Tartus (on the Mediterranean coast in Syria)." The Israeli Prime Minister also recalled his opposition to the nuclear agreement between Iran and the international community, saying, "We have repeatedly warned that Iran lies to the world and is not trustworthy; we said that Iran would become more aggressive after the lifting of sanctions; and this has indeed happened." According to Benjamin Netanyahu, President Trump has clearly stated that he will "never accept a nuclear Iran and has emphasized that if the deficiencies of the JCPOA are not resolved, sanctions against Iran will be reimposed... and this is a policy for which we thank the President of the United States." Mike Pence, Donald Trump's Vice President, also stated on Monday evening at the AIPAC conference, "If the JCPOA is not amended soon, the U.S. will withdraw from it," and "the last chance given to Iran will not be repeated" and added, "We will not allow the defeat of ISIS to turn into a victory for Iran... and revive its powerful empire." On the other hand, despite Israel's strong opposition to the basis of the JCPOA and the U.S. request from allies to address the "deficiencies of the JCPOA," Yukiya Amano, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, confirmed this week that Iran continues to adhere to its commitments under this agreement; Iran also states that it will not return to the negotiating table over the JCPOA and will not accept missile restrictions. However, while the Israeli Prime Minister compared Iran to the "bad" character in the famous film "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly" at the beginning of his speech at AIPAC, he also said, "In confronting Iran's aggression, we must remember that the people of Iran bravely strive to realize their aspirations; Iranian women continue to fight despite being imprisoned for removing their hijabs, and Iranian students have not ceased their struggle despite facing bullets, and in this situation, we stand alongside the freedom-seeking Iranians, and the day will come when tyranny in Iran will come to an end, and on that day, our friendship with the people of Persia will be restored immediately." "Mahmoud Abbas must abandon support for terrorism" Netanyahu also referred to the deadlock in political talks between Israel and the Palestinians in his speech and, while appreciating the U.S. efforts for peace, stated that Mahmoud Abbas, the head of the Palestinian Authority, "must abandon terrorism and support for the terrorists who kill Israelis." According to the Israeli Prime Minister, "Mahmoud Abbas pays $150 million annually, which is almost equivalent to the budget of the Palestinian Authority, to the families of those who kill Israeli citizens." He added that Mr. Abbas should spend this money on peace, the economy, welfare, and building hospitals. At the beginning of his speech, the Prime Minister warmly thanked the U.S. for recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and for the upcoming transfer of the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem, stating that David Friedman will be the first U.S. ambassador to serve at this embassy. Nikki Haley, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, also stated on Monday evening at the AIPAC conference that recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel did not mean that "the U.S. has made Jerusalem the capital of Israel; Jerusalem has always been and will always be the eternal capital of Israel." Ms. Haley also attributed the root of the current Middle Eastern problems to Iran's policies. Netanyahu also emphasized on Monday during a meeting at the White House with Donald Trump, the President of the United States, that Mr. Trump has taken a historic step in recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and that his name will be remembered alongside Cyrus and Harry Truman in history. Cyrus the Great, following the dominance of the Achaemenid Empire over Babylon, returned the exiled Jews from the land of Canaan (present-day Israel) along with their looted treasures to Jerusalem and rebuilt their temple for them. Harry Truman was also the U.S. President seventy years ago who recognized this country just hours after the announcement of Israel's establishment. However, Palestinians are strongly dissatisfied with the recent U.S. decisions to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and to transfer the U.S. embassy to this city. Mahmoud Abbas reiterated this week at a Fatah leaders' meeting in Ramallah that Palestinians no longer see the U.S. as a fair peace mediator, and claiming that the U.S. peace plan "is based on Israel's demands," he added that "he does not want to end his life by betraying it." Difficult days await Netanyahu upon his return to Israel. Netanyahu, continuing his trip to the U.S., where he held his fifth meeting with Donald Trump in the past year, will also meet with congressional leaders; dozens of figures from both the Republican and Democratic parties have emphasized their support for Israel by attending or speaking at this year's AIPAC meeting. On the other hand, many Israeli media outlets claim that Mr. Netanyahu will face the toughest period of his premiership upon returning to Jerusalem due to the expansion of police investigations against him and his wife in three corruption cases, and that his current trip to the U.S. may be the last happy days of his premiership. While Netanyahu was in the U.S., Nir Hefetz, the third-highest official close to him, agreed to testify against the Prime Minister and his wife by signing an agreement with the police to protect himself from potential future penalties. Meanwhile, Mr. Netanyahu insists on his and his wife's innocence, stating that these problems will be resolved. Israeli polls show that despite police investigations against Mr. Netanyahu as a "suspect," Israeli voters are showing more support than ever for him and the Likud party. However, critics say that the police and prosecution will continue their investigations against him regardless of public support for the Likud party and its leader. In this context, Trump announced his potential attendance at the opening ceremony of the U.S. embassy in Jerusalem. Issues related to Iran "are at the forefront of Benjamin Netanyahu and Donald Trump's negotiations." The head of AIPAC supports the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.