简体中文
The historic phone call between U. S. President Barack Obama and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Friday has once again raised Israel's concerns over Obama's Middle East policy.
As Iranian nuclear program tops Israel's national security agenda, the prospect of a thaw in U.S.-Iranian relations leads to Israeli fear that Iran would use the situation to pursue diplomatic initiatives while continuing to advance its nuclear weapon program.
SECURITY CONCERNS
Although Israeli armed forces are among the most technically advanced in the region, the accepted view in Israel is that only the United States has military capabilities to destroy Iran's nuclear infrastructure, should all other options fail.
The recent phone call between Obama and Rouhani, therefore, raised Israel's concerns over U.S. commitment to Israel's national security.
Israel's position on Iran and "what the Americans consider may differ in significant ways. That's what Israel is watching closely and that's what Israel is concerned about," Dr. Jonathan Rynhold of Bar-Ilan University told Xinhua on Sunday.
If Iran were to develop nuclear weapons despite a political agreement, the United States might be busy with other things and not respond soon enough, said Rynhold.
According to Prof. Uzi Rabi of Tel Aviv University, the phone call isn't necessarily a bad thing for Israel, as there is hope that it could bring some real change. But he expressed concerns that Iran could be appeasing the West to gain time for its economic recovery, rather than truly giving up the nuclear program.
IRAN'S CHANGING APPROACH
Since Rouhani was elected in June, he has taken a very different approach from his predecessor Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who frequently called for wiping Israel off the map.
Rouhani, on the other hand, made headlines when he last month sent a tweet to congratulate Jews on the celebration of the Jewish New Year, Rosh HaShana, and he has toned down the anti-Israeli rhetoric stating that Iran seeks peace.
Rabi, the professor, didn't think it signaled a major policy change on Iran's part.
"Frankly, this is a well planned move by Iran to change the rhythm of the diplomatic field and turn Iran into a much more acceptable player, diplomatically speaking," said Rabi.
"[Iran] is trying to build up a channel of communication with the U.S. and Europe. They would like to drive a wedge and create disagreement between Israel and Europe, Israel and the United States," he added.
Rabi noted that Iran also tries to put pressure on two issues, "a nuclear free Middle East, which means we have to deal with Israel;" and the Palestinian issue.
Israel maintains a status of nuclear ambiguity, neither confirming nor denying that it has nuclear weapons, although several Western countries believe that Israel has limited nuclear arsenal. Iran and many other Muslim countries often accuse the United States of applying a "double standard": imposing economic sanctions on Iran for its nuclear program, but turning a blind eye to Israel.
