Not surprisingly, Shapiro appears to be the most diplomatic in his interview, indicating only that there was “surprise” when it was learned that Netanyahu was going to speak to the joint session of Congress in early March. Shapiro merely described the imbroglio as an example of poor communication.
OBAMA SAYS THERE IS NO MILITARY SOLUTION TO IRAN THREAT
What had not been previewed was that Channel 2’s Ilana Dayan also spoke with U.S. President Barack Obama. In that exclusive interview which has just been aired in Israel, the U.S. president said that “A military solution will not fix” a nuclear threat from Iran.
“Even if the United States participates, it would temporarily slow down an Iranian nuclear program, but it will not eliminate it,” Obama said, as he presented to the grassroots Israeli public his arguments in favor of the nuclear deal he is hoping for with Iran.
While Obama told the interviewer, “I understand your concerns and I understand your fears,” he would not specify how he would respond if Israel were to act independently to protect itself from Iran. Nor did he state, as his former adviser, Martin Indyk, did publicly, that at least some in his administration view those fears and concerns as being merely emotional, not logical.
Hana Levi Julian contributed to this article.