Dealing with an existential threat overrides friction with our greatest friend

“In a choice between friction with our closest friend the US and dealing with an existential threat, the latter must prevail,” PM Binyamin Netanyahu said  during a change of guards at Mossad HQ on Tuesday. He went on to say: “This mission falls first of all on the Mossad. You must do everything to ascertain that Iran will never in any circumstances procure a nuclear weapon.”  He added: I said this to my friend of 40 years, Joe Biden. With or without a deal, we will continue to do everything in our power to thwart a nuclear-armed Iran.”

Challenging Netanyahu, Defense Minister Benny Gantz tweeted: The US will remain Israel’s most important and true friend and the safeguard of its security superiority in the region. The Biden administration is a friend and any differences should be resolved face to face behind closed doors – not by provocative comments that are detrimental to national security.