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Netanyahu's nuclear blind spot

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's reaction to the Iran nuclear deal shows a blind spot in his thinking — and a bit of hypocrisy.
Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) and Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu take part in a joint news conference in Moscow's Kremlin November 20, 2013.  Putin said after talks that both sides hoped a "mutually acceptable resolution" could soon be found over Iran's nuclear ambitions. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov (RUSSIA - Tags: POLITICS) - RTX15M33

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the initial and welcome breakthrough that took place in Geneva between the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany as “a historical mistake.”

This typical rush to judgment was an attempt to undermine an agreement that sets in motion relief of sanctions on Iran and a resumed negotiating process that, hopefully, leads to Iran’s full compliance with the NPT (Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty) which, by the way, Israel has never joined.

The audacity of Netanyahu to describe the agreement reached on Sunday, Nov. 24, as he did upon learning of the agreement, is a challenge to the collective judgment of the six major powers in the world.

He seems to think that he has a sort of a veto power.

To repeat his description of President Hassan Rohani as “a wolf in a sheep’s clothing” and the collective and unanimous decision of the six world powers as a “historical mistake” shows a thought process that also explains the simultaneous announcement today of building more than 800 units of settlements in the occupied West Bank.

It is hoped that the opening that has taken place in Geneva would enhance the liberalization process within Iran so it could play a constructive role among the regional powers of the Middle East and set in motion the measures that will bring to fruition the outcome that lifts all the sanctions on Iran and helps demolition of all nuclear, atomic and chemical weapons in the whole region — including those in Demona, Israel.

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