Even before the details have been released, the agreement between Iran and the U.S., France, Germany, Britain, China, and Russia is already being called a “historic mistake” by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and very dangerous by some Congressional Republicans.
This reaction is astonishing when you consider it was a short time ago that we were ready to go to war in the region due to Iran’s saber rattling. Everything in the agreement is going to be subject to verification and not dependent upon Iran’s leadership’s promises.
This is the first step in what has the promise of a lessening of tensions in the region. However, the U.S. has to agree with everything that Israel wants, or it is seen by many, both in the U.S. Congress and in Israel’s Knesset, as withdrawing support and putting Israel in danger.
The truth is that the policy of walking lock step with Israel has caused extraordinary hardship for the Palestinians and forced tens of thousands from their homes. Prime Minister Netanyahu spoke of the U.N. sanctions placed on Iran to stress how untrustworthy the leaders have shown themselves to be. He never seems to speak about the U.N. demands that Israel stop building settlements in the West Bank, which only serve to increase tensions in the area.
I believe it is vital for the U.S. to continue to support Israel. However, there needs to be an even-handed approach in the region and airing of all the grievances that the U.S. has had a hand in causing.
We need to be an instrument for social justice, not a player causing more tension in this region.
Tuesday, June 24, 2025