Natanyahu out of touch with the world
Hassan Rouhani's election as Iran's president was welcome in his own country and in the international community. His speeches at home and in New York to the UN General Assembly demonstrate the determination of a nation, isolated for too long, to open its
Rouhani’s message is also good news for Israel: no threats from Iran, no plans to build nuclear weapons. However, for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the Iranians are untrustworthy hypocrites, President Rouhani “a wolf in sheep’s clothing”.
In his own speech at the General Assembly a few days ago Netanyahu revealed an even more radical position than last year. The “red line” (uranium enrichment) Israel should not cross, has disappeared. Now Netanyahu has zero tolerance for Iran’s nuclear programme.
Netanyahu does not seem to realise that times have changed. He does not have the support of President Obama, who seeks a peaceful solution. Iran’s right to have a nuclear programme for peaceful purposes, based on the non-proliferation treaty, has been recognised by all permanent members of the UN Security Council. Iran wants peace and prosperity, not war.
Manfred Liebig
Freiburg, Germany
