Netanyahu: United States Can’t Let Iran Get Nuclear Bomb - East Idaho News
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Netanyahu: United States Can’t Let Iran Get Nuclear Bomb

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abc netanyahu speech1 kb 150303 16x9 992?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1425400227996ABC News(WASHINGTON) —  “In this deadly ‘Game of Thrones,’ there is no place for America or for Israel. No place for Christians, Jews or Muslims…So when it comes to Iran or ISIS the enemy of your enemy is your enemy.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed a jam-packed joint meeting of Congress Tuesday, telling lawmakers that the United States cannot afford to allow Iran to construct a nuclear bomb.

Netanyahu thanked lawmakers for decades of support and said Israelis were protected last summer from Hamas rocket attacks “because this Capitol Dome helped build our Iron Dome.” He then turned to Iran, warning that “Iran’s regime poses a great threat not only to Israel but also to the peace of the entire world.”


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“Iran’s regime is as radical as ever,” Netanyahu said. “This regime will always be an enemy of America.”

Netanyahu warned that if the U.S.-Iran nuclear deal is accepted, “that deal will not prevent Iran from getting nuclear weapons,” but “it will guarantee” Iran gets the bomb.

The Israeli prime minister heavily criticized a nuclear deal under negotiations between the United States and Iran.

“It doesn’t block Iran’s path to the bomb. It paves Iran’s path to the bomb,” he said.


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Netanyahu called on Congress not to lift restrictions on Iran until Iran stops its aggression against its neighbors in the Middle East, stops supporting terrorism around the world, and stops threatening to annihilate Israel.

“For over a year we’ve been told that no deal is better than a bad deal,” he said. “Well this is a bad deal. A very bad deal. We’re better off without it.”

Netanyahu said Israel can defend itself and promised to act unilaterally against Iran if necessary, though he believes the U.S. would stand with Israel.

“As prime minister of Israel, I can promise you more than one thing: even if Israel has to stand alone, Israel will stand,” he said. “I know that Israel does not stand alone! I know that America stands with Israel!” he said. “My friends, may Israel and America always stand together, strong and resolute. May we neither fear nor dread the challenges ahead. May we face the future with confidence, strength and hope.”

During his speech Tuesday, Netanyahu acknowledged his speech has been “subject of great controversy,” but he said it was “never my intention” in accepting the invitation.


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House Speaker John Boehner invited Netanyahu to address Congress without consulting the White House or Congressional Democrats shortly after the president delivered his State of the Union address. Some Democrats complained that the invitation was inappropriate given the Israeli elections just two weeks away, and a deadline to strike a nuclear deal with Iran that looms at the end of the month.

Republicans however, contend that the invitation comes at a critical juncture in foreign policy.

“The prime minister’s address coincides with an increasingly aggressive Iranian campaign to expand its sphere of influence across the Middle East,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, said Tuesday. “It represents a threat to both our countries. It represents a threat to moderate Sunni allies, and it represents a threat to the international community at large. That’s why Prime Minister Netanyahu is here today.”

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