National Security Adviser Susan Rice Talks Relationship with Israel, Iran Negotiations at AIPAC

Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images(WASHINGTON) — Speaking at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee on Monday, National Security Adviser Susan Rice called the relationship between America and Israel an “alliance…rooted in the unbreakable friendship between our two peoples.”

That enduring relationship has been tested somewhat in recent weeks, with Democrats griping about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Tuesday speech before a joint session of Congress. Nonetheless, Rice noted, “the relationship between the United States and the State of Israel is not a partnership between individual leaders or political parties.” That relationship, she noted, “has deepened and grown through different presidents and prime ministers for nearly 70 years.”

Netanyahu has spoken out in recent weeks against a deal with Iran that would leave them with the capability to one day produce a nuclear weapon.

“I want to be very clear,” Rice said Monday about the ongoing negotiations with Iran, “a bad deal is worse than no deal.” What makes a good deal? Rice says “a good deal is one that would invariably cut off every pathway for Iran to produce enough fissile material for a single nuclear weapon.”

As far as how those negotiations are proceeding, Rice said that “significant gaps remain between the international community and Iran.” She also echoed comments made by President Obama that “we are keeping all options on the table to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon.”

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