Skip to main content

Israel’s Lapid campaigns against new deal with Iran in London

Visiting London while the Vienna talks resume, Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid argued that Tehran has no intention of stopping its nuclear program.
Stuart Mitchell

In London today, Foreign Minister Yair Lapid and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson participated in a Hannukah event organized by the Conservative Friends of Israel group.

Addressing the global threats Israel is facing, notably Iran, Hezbollah and Hamas, Lapid said, “The struggle between law-abiding democracies and murderous terrorist organizations is not a struggle between narratives. It is a struggle between good and evil."

He went on, "The connection between Israel and Britain is not a symbolic connection, but a deep practical friendship between political and security partners who see eye to eye on most of the geopolitical issues that preoccupy our world. This friendship between us was most recently reflected in the British government's decision to proscribe all of Hamas as a terrorist organization. … Our friendship will be reflected in the coming months in our shared determination to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon at all costs. Israel will always protect itself, but we know we are not alone.”

Lapid has been in London since yesterday. This morning, he met with his British counterpart Liz Truss to sign a memorandum of understanding for economic and security cooperation between the two countries.

Lapid said after the signing, “The Iranians are coming to these talks for only one reason: to get sanctions lifted. They need money. For Hezbollah, for the Revolutionary Guard, for their global terrorist network and for their continued race toward a nuclear weapon.” Lapid argued that the Iranian strategy in Vienna is to “play for time, earn billions from the removal of sanctions, continue to deceive the world and covertly advance their nuclear program. This is what they have done in the past and it is what they will do this time as well. The world must prevent this and it can prevent this. Tighter sanctions. Tighter supervision. Conduct any talks from a position of strength.”

Prior to this morning's meeting, The Telegraph published an op-ed by Lapid and Truss. The two countries will “work night and day to prevent the Iranian regime from ever becoming a nuclear power,” wrote the two ministers, adding, “The clock is ticking, which heightens the need for close cooperation with our partners and friends to thwart Tehran’s ambitions. Many fear the skies are darkening worldwide due to the pandemic, the threat of terrorism and hostile actors seeking the upper hand. But we believe that with the right approach, freedom and democracy will prevail over malign forces.”

Lapid is scheduled to meet tomorrow afternoon in Paris with French President Emmanuel Macron before returning to Israel. That meeting will also focus on the Vienna talks, though the two leaders are also expected to address the diplomatic crisis between the two countries over the NSO Group's surveillance software. Paris expressed anger after the news broke this summer that the Israeli-made Pegasus spyware was used on Macron’s phone. Since then, senior Israeli security officials have presented to their French colleagues a proposal to include a clause prohibiting spying on French phone numbers in all future deals that involve exporting Israeli cyber software.  

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett warned today that the Vienna talks would offer Tehran a lifting of sanctions without Iran making any concessions in return. "Iran won't just keep its nuclear program; from today, they'll be getting paid for it.” Referring to reports earlier this week that Iranian forces shot protesters in Isfahan, he said, “Such a murderous regime should not be rewarded.”

Join hundreds of Middle East professionals with Al-Monitor PRO.

Business and policy professionals use PRO to monitor the regional economy and improve their reports, memos and presentations. Try it for free and cancel anytime.

Already a Member? Sign in

Free

The Middle East's Best Newsletters

Join over 50,000 readers who access our journalists dedicated newsletters, covering the top political, security, business and tech issues across the region each week.
Delivered straight to your inbox.

Free

What's included:
Our Expertise

Free newsletters available:

  • The Takeaway & Week in Review
  • Middle East Minute (AM)
  • Daily Briefing (PM)
  • Business & Tech Briefing
  • Security Briefing
  • Gulf Briefing
  • Israel Briefing
  • Palestine Briefing
  • Turkey Briefing
  • Iraq Briefing
Expert

Premium Membership

Join the Middle East's most notable experts for premium memos, trend reports, live video Q&A, and intimate in-person events, each detailing exclusive insights on business and geopolitical trends shaping the region.

$25.00 / month
billed annually

Become Member Start with 1-week free trial
What's included:
Our Expertise AI-driven

Memos - premium analytical writing: actionable insights on markets and geopolitics.

Live Video Q&A - Hear from our top journalists and regional experts.

Special Events - Intimate in-person events with business & political VIPs.

Trend Reports - Deep dive analysis on market updates.

All premium Industry Newsletters - Monitor the Middle East's most important industries. Prioritize your target industries for weekly review:

  • Capital Markets & Private Equity
  • Venture Capital & Startups
  • Green Energy
  • Supply Chain
  • Sustainable Development
  • Leading Edge Technology
  • Oil & Gas
  • Real Estate & Construction
  • Banking

We also offer team plans. Please send an email to pro.support@al-monitor.com and we'll onboard your team.

Already a Member? Sign in

Israel Briefing Israel Briefing

Israel Briefing

Top Israel stories in your inbox each week

Trend Reports

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (4th R) attends a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping (3rd L) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on February 22, 2019. (Photo by HOW HWEE YOUNG / POOL / AFP) (Photo credit should read HOW HWEE YOUNG/AFP via Getty Images)
Premium

From roads to routers: The future of China-Middle East connectivity

A general view shows the solar plant in Uyayna, north of Riyadh, on March 29, 2018. - On March 27, Saudi announced a deal with Japan's SoftBank to build the world's biggest solar plant. (Photo by FAYEZ NURELDINE / AFP) (Photo credit should read FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images)
Premium

Regulations on Middle East renewable energy industry starting to take shape

Start your PRO membership today.

Join the Middle East's top business and policy professionals to access exclusive PRO insights today.

Join Al-Monitor PRO Start with 1-week free trial