
Israeli leaders, ministers, and MKs praised US President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal Tuesday night.
President Reuven Rivlin stated that Trump's decision "constitutes an important and significant step in ensuring the security of the State of Israel, the security of the region and the security of the entire free world."
“Alongside the nuclear threat we do not, for a moment, forget the arms race Iran is leading on our borders, and we follow the developments closely and responsibly in order to protect the security of our citizens. The threat of Iranian consolidation is not a threat to the State of Israel alone, and therefore international pressure is necessary in the struggle against this danger," Rivlin added.
Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman praised Trump as the "leader of the free world" in response to the decision.
"Iran is a dictatorship that supports and funds terror and death all over the world. Iran itself is a terrorist entity that aspires to nuclear weapons. This is a courageous leadership step that will eventually lead to the fall of this terrible and cruel regime," Liberman said.
Deputy Minister and former Israeli ambassador to the US Michael Oren said that as a result of Trump's decision, "a deadly threat has been lifted. The Middle East and the world will be safer and better able to stop Iran.”
Yesh Atid faction leader Yair Lapid, a member of the opposition, thanked Trump for his support for Israel and stated that Israel must now enlist the support of Europe, China and Russia to follow Trump's lead.
“Just as in the past I worked with the government to cancel the bad nuclear deal, I will not make calculations of coalition and opposition this time, either," Lapid said.
Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein stated: “Trump leaving the deal is further proof that the Iranians never abandoned their plan to obtain weapons of mass destruction. Now, all the countries that are party to the agreement should understand this and leave it … Only harsh sanctions will bring the decisive blow and strangle the Iranian nuclear plan and regime.”
Israel's ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, stated: “This is a historic decision that provides the prospect for a new era of security and stability in the Middle East. A united front against this regime that promotes terror and sows instability can put an end to the Iranian aggression which threatens our region and the entire international community.”
However, not all Israeli politicians supported the American President;s decision. Zionist Union MK Shelly Yachimovich said that “the deal is flawed," but expressed concern that the situation could further deteriorate without a new deal.
Meretz chairwoman MK Tamar Zandberg called the announcement a "bad decision" that would put "the citizens of Israel and the world’s lives in danger." She was joined by Joint Arab List MK Ahmad Tibi, who also warned of the dangers of Trump's decision.