Iran and its leaders are a danger not only to Israel and the Middle East, but also to nations worldwide, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told a joint session of Congress on Tuesday, to thunderous applause, and called for global action over Iran’s nuclear program.
Condemning the burgeoning agreement between the major world powers and Iran over the latter’s nuclear aspirations, which Netanyahu had made clear would be the focus of the speech, he called the deal “bad.”
“This is a bad deal,” he said, “we’re better off without it.” The agreement “would not be a farewell to arms,” he added, “it would be a farewell to arms control.”
It is not true that the only alternative to this “bad deal” with Iran is war, he said, the real alternative is “a better deal.”
“If the deal now being negotiated is accepted by Iran, that deal will not prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons – it will all but guarantee that Iran will get those nuclear weapons – lots of them,” he said.
The agreement, he said, does not block Iran’s path to the bomb, it paves Iran’s path to the bomb.
“Iran’s regime poses a grave threat, not only to Israel but also to the peace of the entire world,” he said. “We must all stand together to stop Iran’s march of conquest, subjugation and terror.”
“Iran has proven time and again that it cannot be trusted,” no matter what it says about permitting verification of the terms of any accord designed to prevent it from getting such weapons, the prime minister said.
“The greatest danger facing our world is the marriage of militant Islam with nuclear weapons,” he warned.
The prime minister also accused Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei of anti-Semitism, saying he “spews the oldest hatest, with the newest technology.”
Netanyahu also warned that fighting the Islamic State group should not detract from efforts to stymie Iran’s nuclear aspirations.
“To defeat ISIS but let Iran get nuclear weapons would be to win the battle but lose the war,” he said.
The prime minister received the first of multiple standing ovations as he made his way to the podium for the address that has been boycotted by dozens of Democratic lawmakers and threatened to create a permanent crack in the long solid US-Israel ties.
“I know that my speech has been the subject of much controversy,” Netanyahu said in his opening remarks. “I regret that some people perceive my being here as political. That was never my intention.”
The prime minister paid tribute to US support for Israel, in particular its military assistance.
“Last summer, millions of Israelis were protected from thousands of Hamas rockets because this Capitol dome helped build our Iron Dome,” he said, to thunderous applause.
Niceties over, Netanyahu turned to the central issue of his speech, drawing a comparison between the antagonist of the upcoming Jewish holiday of Purim and the Iranian supreme leader.
“Today, the Jewish people face another attempt by yet another Persian potentate to destroy us,” he said.
FULL VIDEO: Starts at 1:04:35
Funny how in the front of the US House of Rep there’s “In G-D we trust”. But in the Knesset they would NEVER put such a thing.
Bibi put your words in to action and act like a real PM and not some caward polotition.
The one thing that Obama did achieved by behaving as he did. was that so many times the amount of viewers that we would have anticipated watching, actually did watch Bibi’s brilliant speach.
All the more Yidden to hear about Moishe Rabbeinu and Purim.
so proud to be a jew! my heart is overflowing with pride!!
yes, its Rhoda Dermer , that spoke at the kinus
You can see her next to Mrs. Netanyahoo
“In G-d We Trust”!!
Finally the Prime Minsister of the JEWISH state spoke words of Torah to the world, ohr l’goy, and made it clear to the world about amalek (besheret at this time of zachor) – exposing amalek’s ongoing goal of annihilating the Jewish people c’v. This is beyond politics. Good job Bibi.
Veraoo Kol Ho’amim ki Shem Hashem Nikrah! Go Bibi!
Moshiach now!
Very happy he mentioned HaShem in his speech, to the Congress and the world over.
Heard that Obama did not watch the speech and that should give you some insight as to how he thinks!!
Was that Rhoda Dermer next to Pelosi-the woman speaker at Kinus Chof Bais???
Thank you Speaker Boehner for inviting Netanyahu. This was a brilliant speech that all Americans should hear. Thank you!
The Mazal is with us especially this time of year!
yidden we need to increase in mivza purim…..
I may not agree with Prime Minister Netanyahu on many things, but there is no doubt he is an eloquent speaker who is saying it how it is. And I’m as sure as can be, Obama is skulking in some room watching the speech on CCTV.
Schina medaber m’toch groynoy-
much hatzlacha
moshiach now!!!!