Netanyahu’s Move

With the explicit intention of torpedoing the progress of negotiations being held by the U.S. with Iran so that Iran freezes its nuclear program for 10 years in exchange for the cessation of certain sanctions, and against President Barack Obama’s will, Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu, addressed the U.S. Congress.



It was an unusual visit, due to the evident intention of ingratiating himself with the opposition of a government, which, despite everything, continues to be his great ally. It is a move that opens a chapter of unprecedented tension in a relationship which has always been characterized by its good countenance.



Republicans opened the doors for him; they are the majority in Congress and are very interested in being a stick in the wheel of progress of the plans the Democrat president has for his second term on foreign policy issues. Initially, it was a win-win situation.



During his intervention, the Israeli prime minister did not spare any darts aimed at a possible understanding between both governments. He reaffirmed his fierce opposition to a possible agreement, in a posture that more than a few associated with the need to harden the tone, with his country’s parliamentary re-elections coming up on March 17. In this light, there is no doubt he managed to sweet talk his electorate as well as the Republicans.

But what the world is really interested in is that the dialogue between the U.S. and Iran started a new cycle this Thursday in Switzerland. And this time different than before, popular support of Obama’s current administration has skyrocketed, according to a poll from the University of Maryland, quoted by The New York Times. Moreover, the possibility of harsher sanctions for Iran, a decision that would require the support of Democrat lawmakers, is unraveling for Netanyahu. He convinced the ones who were already convinced, but without fulfilling his great objective. A balance which many on this planet watch with satisfaction, for no matter how many doubts the effort generates, the sensible thing to do is to explore and exhaust the paths of dialogue with Iran.