Re: Netanyahu’s speech (letter 2)

We can now look back on Prime Minister Netanyahu’s speech to Congress and evaluate its impact. My assessment: not helpful.

Everyone knew what he would say, there was nothing new. But the PM’s support for Republican politics was needlessly divisive and erodes Israel’s long-term need for bipartisan support. Seen as a warmonger, he gave fresh ammunition to the Israel haters and the worldwide boycott Israel movement. While Netanyahu wanted to undermine Obama, he offered no realistic alternative strategy. Neither did the 47 Senate Republicans whose incredibly irresponsible “open” letter to Iran, intended to score political points against Obama, could sabotage negotiations and lead to war.

It is wishful thinking that Iran would cave in if sanctions were increased. Not just Obama but world leaders including Conservative British Prime Minister Cameron have warned that if that happens, Iran is most likely to walk away from talks and their willingness to allow inspections and reduce enrichment will be gone. Attacking Iran would then be the option to stop its nuclear program. Instigating such a U.S.-Iran war may have been Netanyahu’s goal, but such a war is likely to be disastrous for all with unforeseeable consequences. The U.S. has already wasted enormous resources on wars in the region, at the least we would face a big spike in oil prices. That would not be popular, even in our own Jewish community, and those that are seen to have promoted such a war will be blamed.

Many analysts, including some in the Israeli intelligence community, think Netanyahu was exaggerating the danger from Iran, perhaps in order to help his re-election. In that case Americans would be best off supporting continued negotiations, reserving judgment about a deal with Iran that has not even been finalized, and resisting calls for yet another Middle East war.

Barry Schiller

North Providence, R.I.