Netanyahu’s Alarm Is Good for Israel
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu has warned the United States of America against agreeing to a nuclear
deal with Iran and working with a country deeply rooted in militant Islam. He
observed that Tehran “will always be an enemy of America”, stressing that “If
the deal now being negotiated is accepted by Iran, that deal will not prevent
Iran from developing nuclear weapons, lots of them”.
Netanyahu emphasized that Iran’s regime
is “as radical as ever”, and therefore, “could not be trusted and the deal
being worked out with the US would not block Iran’s way to a bomb but paves its
way to a bomb”.
He appealed for s united front against
terrorism and Iran’s attempt to acquire nuclear power. In his words, “We must
all stand together to stop Iran’s march of conquest, subjugation and terror”.
This is not the first time Netanyahu is
raising alarm over Iran’s nuclear weapons capability. In 1996 he spoke of
catastrophic consequences if Iran were to acquire nuclear weapons, not only for
the Middle East but for all mankind. He has severally made frivolous claims about nuclear weapons programmes in both Iran and
Iraq, inventing imaginary timelines for their development and making misleading
public statements.
This alarm is not only frustrating
Iran’s effort to develop as a nation, ride itself of the picture of State
terror sponsor, but also paint Iran as threat to peace and security in the
Middle East and North Africa as well as enemy of the West.
Perhaps, many have forgotten that since
1970 Iran has been a non-nuclear weapon state party to the Treaty on
Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPI), and has an advanced nuclear
programme that it declares to be peaceful in nature.
But the odds against Iran are numerous
which make Netanyahu’s warning worthy of consideration. Several factors are at
stake when we consider the current deal being negotiated by the US.
1.
Iran’s nuclear programme is
cloaked in a shroud of secrecy. America cannot claim to have real-time
intelligence information about Iran’s nuclear programmes.
2.
Iran’s sponsorship of
terrorism is an issue. Is the carrot being advanced by the US capable of making
Iran denounce terrorism? What will become of Hamas, Hezbollah, and Palestinian
Islamic Jihadists?
3.
Human rights abuses; and
4.
Iran’s non-recognition of
Israel’s right to exist.
All which has combined to hinder the
Middle East Peace Process by arming militants including Hamas, Hezbollah and
Palestinian Islamic Jihadists, and its continuous disruptive role in sustaining
violence in the Middle East, especially Syria.
Perhaps, it is a welcome development
that the Iraqi insurgency has brought Washington and Tehran together. But,
Obama endorsement of this marriage from hell is rather too fast and irrational.
Obama anchor his stance on “Iran can play a constructive role”. Iran and US may
cooperate for convenience, but beyond subduing common enemies, their goals and
aspirations are not the same. We are watching to see if Iran can really become
a strong US ally in the fight against terrorism despite its official
sponsorship of Hezbollah.
We also want to see how the cooperation
over Iraq can solve the problems of jihadists from Europe who cross Iran to
join the fight against US and NATO troops in Pakistan.
Besides, diplomats from both the West
and Iran have maintained the following:
a.
That they are nowhere close on a deal to halt
Tehran’s nuclear programme;
b.
That sanctions are not going
away anytime soon; and
c.
That relationship between
Washington and Tehran is far from cordial.
Who then is fooling who? America is
approaching a hypercritical problem with a mind fixed on the enemy of my enemy is my
friend. This stance portends grave consequences for peace and security
in the Middle East and North Africa as violence and terror expand.
In championing the fight against
terrorism America’s choice of enemies and friends have been very controversial
and questionable. The case of Nigeria, my country, comes to mind here. Nigeria,
though not colonized by America has been America close friend and ally. Unfortunately,
during the 30 months Nigerian-Biafra Civil War (1967 – 1970) and the ongoing
war against the terror group, Boko Haram, the US denied Nigeria arms to defend
our sovereignty; protect our citizens’ lives and properties; secure our
freedom; and guard our human rights and democracy. In other words, twice
Nigeria was in great danger, twice America abandoned her to her fate and twice
Nigeria turned to Russia to get help. In all, Nigeria has remained a faithful
friend and ally of America.
But for decades now, the same America
has been providing Iranians with tools and training necessary to advocate for
their interests, protect citizens’ rights, and to communicate securely and
freely with each other and the outside world.
When you compare the two scenarios above
you will find where Netanyahu’s fears are placed, and also why he will
continually raise the alarm for a long time to come, at least, to tell the
world that he is suspicious of US romance with Iran or any other known enemy of
Israel.
Secondly, that he doesn’t trust the US
dealings with Iran vis-à-vis its nuclear programme.
Thirdly, though, Iran is said to be far
from making nuclear weapons, the alarm aims to prevent the US from embarking on
activities and relationship that will sooner or later consume Israel or further
jeopardize peace and security in the Middle East. There is no idle romance!
The dilemma of US now is whether to
reinvade Iraq or equip Iran properly to contain Iraq, particularly the
activities of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS).
Double standard is weapon of deception
whether on the economic level or political level. The US is still employing the
instrument of cruel deception it invented during the Cold War in rather larger
scale. Netanyahu is an insider, therefore should not be blamed for raising
empty alarm. A study of the Cold War revealed the “State of mind that
encourages international deception and the mind of the State that perpetuate
it”. Big brother favours fraud instead of force to manipulate, dominate, and
control the world.
After winning the Cold War, US now leads
the race in converting enemies into friends and turning friends into enemies
without blinking an eye. Netanyahu is not ignorant of America’s propensity to
betraying allies, especially in supporting and later attacking them, hence the
continual alarm.
Netanyahu’s alarm is for the good of
Israel and for peace in the Middle East and North Africa. Keep warning the US;
keep sounding the alarm; keep shouting. After all, to be forewarned is to be
forearmed.
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