Some who blindly support Israel criticize President Obama for negotiating "in secret" with Iran over nuclear weapons, for not adequately briefing Congress, for daring to reassess the US-Israeli relationship, and for excluding Israel from the bargaining table. Say what?
1. Precedent abounds for negotiating such deals in private ("secret"), both by Democratic and Republican Presidents. To negotiate in another manner is not realistic.
2. Were I President Obama, I would not inform Congress about the negotiations. The Republicans in Congress cannot be trusted. The letter by forty-seven Republican Senators to Iran's Ayatollah Khamenei is evidence enough. I would not give these Senators the time of day.
3. The Obama Administration is indeed reassessing the US relationship with Israel. I believe this is reasonable given the statements by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in his efforts to retain power: (1) no Palestinian state on his watch; and (2) disparaging minority Arab citizens of Israel. That Netanyahu is attempting to backtrack should be taken into consideration, but should not deter a review of where the Israeli leader actually stands.
4. Israel has no right to a seat at the negotiating table as it has refused to sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. It has nuclear weapons but refuses to allow international inspectors into the country.
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