Netanyahu to World Leaders: Fix Iran Deal

TEL AVIV — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday urged world leaders to fix the Iran deal and said that Israel would do everything to prevent Tehran from establishing military bases in Syria. 

Netanyahu held meetings with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel, Swiss President Alain Berset and Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev at the World Economic Forum in Davos. He requested that the heads of state “take advantage of the opportunity created” by President Donald Trump’s declaration that he would no longer sign the sanctions suspension on Iran.

“We spoke about the nuclear agreement with Iran. I said that in my opinion, the only option at the moment is to introduce real, rather than cosmetic, amendments that will prevent Iran from nuclearization, which is currently guaranteed under the agreement,” Netanyahu said regarding his meeting with Merkel, which he described as “important.”

“I expressed my appreciation for the real commitment of the chancellor to Israel’s security,” he added.

Netanyahu said that Merkel “repeated her commitment and said that she understands our concerns about the nuclear agreement. She does not necessarily agree with the way we want to deal with it … but she understands that it has to do with our concern for something that threatens our very existence, which she is committed to [safeguarding].”

According to his office, Netanyahu noted that he will not allow Iran to establish a military presence in Syria and added that Israel is working to prevent this.

In reference to the Palestinian issue, Netanyahu said that “he will not compromise on Israel’s security needs in any future agreement,” a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office said.

The prime minister discussed economic and technological trade with Canada’s Trudeau, with the two leaders agreeing to deepen those relations, the PMO stated.

Netanyahu invited all of the leaders to visit Israel.

On Thursday afternoon, Netanyahu and Trump are scheduled to have a meeting.

In the meeting, Trump plans “to reiterate America’s strong commitment to Israel and efforts to reduce Iran’s influence and abilities, and ways to achieve lasting peace,” White House National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster said in a press briefing.