Netanyahu at Sde Boker
Netanyahu at Sde BokerGPO photo: Kobi Gideon

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said Sunday that Israel would do all it could to keep world powers from striking a "bad and dangerous" deal with Iran over its nuclear program.

Netanyahu said: “At the week's end I spoke with President Obama, President Putin, President Hollande, Chancellor Merkel and British Prime Minister Cameron. I told them that based on all of the information reaching Israel, the deal being crafted is a bad and dangerous one. Dangerous not just for us, but for them too. Dangerous to world peace because it suddenly removes the pressure of the sanctions that took years to build, and on the other hand, Iran remains, effectively, with its ability to enrich uranium, as well as an ability to advance on the plutonium track.”

"I emphasize that in the suggested deal, not a single centrifuge is dismantled. I asked all of the leaders – what's the rush? I suggested that they wait, and weigh matters soberly. We are talking about a historic process, historic decisions. I asked them to wait. It is good that this was the decision they made in the end but I do not delude myself – there is a great longing for an agreement.”

"I hope they reach a good agreement, and we will do all we can to convince world powers to avoid a bad deal."

Netanyahu addressed his cabinet of ministers at a special government session in the desert community of Sde Boker, marking 40 years since the death of David Ben Gurion, Israel's first prime minister, who is buried there.