Speech was an appeal for help

By John Lee, Henderson

Sunday, March 8, 2015 | 3 a.m.

I wholeheartedly agree with the column regarding Israel’s right to exist and the prudent assessment of Iran, an arch-enemy of Israel (“US-Israel relationship is what matters,” Las Vegas Sun, March 1). I, however, disagree with the opinion regarding the Israeli prime minister’s speech to the joint session of Congress.

As the writer correctly stated, Israel not only has every right to exist, but also has every right to defend itself from the threat of its enemies, such as Iran, which vowed to eliminate Israel. Furthermore, Israel has every right to resist any nation’s influence that affects Israeli people’s life, including the United States.

Therefore, Israel’s complaint regarding the nuclear negotiation between the U.S. and Iran without consulting the Israeli government is warranted because the imminent deal is totally ignorant and blatantly disregards Israeli people’s worries.

I am fairly skeptical Iran would ever abandon its nuclear program, and the prolonged negotiation is nothing but a ploy to buy more time. Iran’s ambition is, without a doubt, becoming a de facto power in the Middle East, and President Barack Obama thinks that is a good idea. That is why the president already has yielded so much to Iran and has removed some sanctions; by doing so, he has restored Iran’s economy.

To the contrary of the article’s assertion, Netanyahu’s speech had nothing to do with his upcoming election or a cooked-up ploy to shame Obama, nor endanger the historic bond between Israel and the United States. Obama and his people are living in an ivory tower, pursuing a world that is disconnected from the practical concerns of people’s everyday life, detached from the real world. Netanyahu and the Israeli people are so frustrated that Netanyahu wanted to appeal directly to the American people for help.

I am certain Israel will survive Obama’s constant onslaught on Israel during the last two years of his presidency, and Israel will never allow Iran to have nuclear weapons because it is their life-and-death matter.