Yesh Atid MK says PM failed on handling Iran

Yesh Atid MK Ofer Shelah, the party’s faction chairman, says in a Knesset speech that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is a “failure” in his handling of Israel’s policy regarding the Iranian nuclear deal.

“For years Benjamin Netanyahu has used his dedication to fighting Iran’s nuclear program as an excuse for every failure and lack of action [on other issues]. For years he has been saying he is the only person who can manage [this struggle] appropriately. Now it is clear to all that Netanyahu failed miserably, in the only thing that served as his excuse for not functioning as prime minister,” Shelah says.

Earlier, Shelah’s party leader Yair Lapid told Army Radio that Israel should not rebuff US overtures to increase security assistance as a carrot to get the government to ease up on its opposition to the Iran deal.

Lapid said Netanyahu should not refuse any offer made by US Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter, who arrived in Israel on Sunday.