Letter from Dianne Feinstein on Netanyahu's Speech

Oh look, another ardent supporter of Israel

 

Dear  TP :

 

Thank you for writing to express your thoughts on Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's speech before a joint session of Congress.  I appreciate the time you took to write, and I welcome the opportunity to respond. 

 

On March 2, 2015, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu addressed a joint session of Congress to discuss U.S.-Israeli relations and the ongoing P5+1 (a group of countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, China, and Russia) negotiations with Iran regarding Iran's nuclear program.  

 

First, please know that though I attended Prime Minister Netanyahu's speech, I believe the decision by Speaker Boehner to invite Prime Minister Netanyahu to speak before Congress without consulting the administration was a breach of protocol and an unwelcome injection of partisan politics into our nation's foreign policy debate.  This invitation and speech also put the United States in the middle of Israel's March 2015 election, which I believe was highly inappropriate. 

 

Second, Prime Minister Netanyahu's speech powerfully reinforced the close U.S.-Israeli relationship and reaffirmed the United States' continued contribution to Israel's security.  Prime Minister Netanyahu also made clear his concerns with a diplomatic agreement that the P5+1 are attempting to conclude with Iran. 

 

As you may know, since January 2014, Iran and the P5+1 have abided by an interim nuclear agreement known as the Joint Plan of Action, which has frozen and reversed in some respects Iran's nuclear program in exchange for limited sanctions relief.  The purpose of the interim agreement was to facilitate good faith negotiations towards a final, comprehensive agreement that would ensure Iran's nuclear program is exclusively peaceful.  According to the International Atomic Energy Agency, Iran has closely adhered to the Joint Plan of Action, and on April 2, 2015, Iran and the P5+1 announced a framework agreement to produce a final deal by June 30, 2015.

 

With international sanctions in place and Iran's nuclear program halted as a result of the Joint Plan of Action, I have strongly supported the extension of talks and the diplomatic efforts currently underway to resolve concerns about Iran's nuclear program.  I believe these negotiations represent a critical—and possibly the only—opportunity to peacefully curtail Iran's nuclear program. 

 

Consequently, I do not agree with an effort to impose additional sanctions against Iran.  I concur with the judgment of the Intelligence Community that imposing these additional sanctions while we are simultaneously negotiating with Iran would undermine the prospect of a diplomatic resolution.  That is why I oppose additional sanctions against Iran at this time.  

 

Please know that I have taken careful note of the concerns you raised in your letter, and I appreciate your input on these important topics.   

 

Again, thank you for your letter.  I hope you continue to keep me informed on matters of importance to you.  If you have any additional questions or concerns, do not hesitate to contact my Washington, D.C., office at (202) 224-3841. Best regards.

Sincerely yours,


  Dianne Feinstein
         United States Senator