Labor MK blasts Netanyahu, Barak for ‘blatant interference’ in US elections over Iran

MK Isaac Herzog (Labor) on Wednesday slammed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak for “interfering” in the US elections by criticizing Washington’s approach to handling Iran’s nuclear program.

In an interview with Israel Radio, Herzog said Netanyahu and Barak’s recent rhetoric reminded him of Münchausen syndrome, a psychiatric disorder in which patients feign illness to elicit sympathy. They constantly “light fires, then use cold water to put them out,” he said, alluding to a strategy whereby Israel threatens to attack Iran in order to impel the international community to ratchet up sanctions, and then backs away after winning support.

Attacking Washington over its handling of the Iranian government is “blatant interference in the [US] elections, and Israel should remain silent about it,” Herzog said. Israel could urge the US to set “red lines” for Iran’s nuclear program, he said, but the appropriate forum for such sensitive requests was “behind closed doors.”

The “pendulum of power” on the Iranian issue falls in the international arena, he said, “and we need the support of the US.”

On Tuesday, Netanyahu criticized the US for refusing to set firm red lines for Iran. “Those in the international community who refuse to put red lines before Iran don’t have a moral right to place a red light before Israel,” the premier said.

US leaders have publicly stated that an Iranian regime armed with a nuclear weapon is “unacceptable,” but the Israelis and Americans have publicly disagreed on the approaches, or timetables, for thwarting Iran’s nuclear drive. Israel claims it cannot afford to wait, while the US believes there is still time to prevent a nuclear-armed Iran.

Speaking later in a rare summer meeting of the Knesset, head of the opposition Shaul Mofaz blasted Netanyahu and asked him rhetorically: “Who are you trying to replace? The administration in Washington or that in Tehran?”

“How far are you willing to allow relations between our two countries [Israel and the US] to deteriorate?” Mofaz continued.

He also criticized Netanyahu on his domestic policies, saying he “crossed every line and gave up on great opportunities,” likely a reference to the premier’s failure to pass a universal conscription law.

Mofaz added: “I’m curious to know, sir, what are your ‘red lines’ when it comes to the Palestinians?” He said Netanyahu’s lack of progress toward a two-state solution increases, “God forbid, the chances of a binational state.”