US nuclear negotiator says committed to Israel security
In effort to address Israeli concerns, Undersecretary of State Wendy Sherman told Israeli reporters that only a nuclear deal will safeguard Israel, says final deal expected by June 30th.
The American chief nuclear negotiator attempted Sunday to quell Israeli concerns regarding the recently agreed framework deal on Iran's nuclear program, saying that the US was committed to Israel's security.
Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter
"Is it a perfect deal? No. There is no such thing as a perfect deal," Undersecretary of State Wendy Sherman said in a special briefing to the Israeli media about the agreement reached between Iran and the world powers regarding the Islamic republic's nuclear program.
However, "there is no formula or option that will be more effective than the diplomatic track," she said, emphasizing the US was adamantly committed to Israel's security. But she remained firm that only a deal – as opposed to continued sanctions or military actions – would safeguard Israel.
According to her, the looming agreement with Iran, which she said would be finilized by June 30 deadline, would be preferable to the "alternative."
Related stories:
- Israeli opposition fleshes out Iran policy, demanding US support for Israeli strike
- Netanyahu: Sanctions on Iran must remain
- Obama: Netanyahu has not offered alternative to Iran deal
When asked about Iran's role in funding terror around the role – most recently by supporting rebels in Yemen - Sherman said the White House shared Israel's concerns on the issue but claimed it should not be linked to the nuclear talks.
"We believe we can't condition Iran not getting a nuclear weapon on other issues. Getting the deal is difficult enough. Israel's right to exist and Iran's actions in the region will be dealt with on a parallel track," she said.
"The US will consult Israel on what it needs for its security," she said, vowing the US would work with Israel on both the nuclear and regional front, but indicating it would do so only when they have a direct bearing on Israel.
The briefing came as part of US effort to address Israeli concerns over a deal that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly blasted as bad and dangerous.
According to different reports, US President Barack Obama will meet with Jewish leaders as part of the effort to promote the deal to both Israelis and the American Jewish community.
Obama and his national security adviser Susan Rice will reportedly meet Monday with top officials of Jewish organizations, from the ADL to the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations and the Jewish Federations of North America, as well as pro-Israel lobbies like the AIPAC and J Street, JTA reported.
Later in afternoon Obama and Rice were set to meet with what the White House schedule described as “Jewish community leaders.” as the White House describes them on its schedule.
Sources who spoke to JTA said the group is composed of “influencers” – a Washington euphemism from donors, presumably from the Democratic Party – who have expressed displeasure from the nuclear deal. The only one named by the report was Hillary Clinton supporter Israeli-American media mogul Haim Saban.
Yitzhak Benhorin contributed to this report
