In an interview published Sept. 14, Defense Minister Benny Gantz told Foreign Policy magazine that Israel would be willing to accept a US-negotiated nuclear deal with Iran. The statement signaled a clear shift away from the doctrine espoused by former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that formed the basis of Israeli policy for the last 12 years. The interview also signaled that the country’s defense policy is now being shaped by Gantz.
Asked about efforts by Washington to get back to a deal with Tehran, Gantz said, “The current US approach of putting the Iran nuclear program back in a box, I’d accept that.” He added that Israel would want to see a “viable US-led plan B” that includes broad economic pressure on Iran in case the talks fail.
