politics
Vance Comments on Israeli Criticism of Iran Memorandum
The vice president told reporters that Israel risks losing its main remaining ally if it continues to attack a memorandum of understanding signed with Iran. He also said Israel's problems are larger than any U.S. policy disagreement.
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U.S. Vice President JD Vance addressed remarks made by two Israeli ministers regarding a memorandum of understanding signed between the United States and Iran on June 17. Speaking at a White House press briefing on June 18, Vance stated that the United States is currently the only major power willing to maintain close ties with Israel.
Vance said that any Israeli cabinet member who continues to criticize the agreement may be harming the country's security interests. He described the United States as Israel's sole remaining powerful partner. The remarks followed comments by Israeli ministers who objected to the memorandum.
Israeli forces have conducted operations in Gaza for two years, resulting in more than 73,000 Palestinian deaths according to Gaza's health ministry. Vance noted that those operations had not drawn comparable U.S. criticism. He said the current disagreement centers on the new agreement with Iran rather than on the conduct of the Gaza campaign.
"The problem for Israel is not Donald J. Trump," Vance said. "And anyone in Israel who thinks their biggest problem is the president of the United States needs to wake up and smell the reality of the situation that country is in." Vance also said Israeli leaders should recognize that their country's challenges extend beyond any single U.S. policy decision.
Le Monde reported Vance stating that "Donald J. Trump is the only head of state in the entire world who is sympathetic to the nation of Israel."
