4 Mar, 2015 13:50

Netanyahu predictably tries to whip Congress into hysteria over Iran - just as over Iraq

Richard Sudan is a London-based writer, political activist, and performance poet. His writing has been published in many prominent publications, including the Independent, the Guardian, Huffington Post and Washington Spectator. He has been a guest speaker at events for different organizations ranging from the University of East London to the People's Assembly covering various topics. His opinion is that the mainstream media has a duty to challenge power, rather than to serve power. Richard has taught writing poetry for performance at Brunel University. Richard Sudan is a London-based writer, political activist, and performance poet. His writing has been published in many prominent publications, including the Independent, the Guardian, Huffington Post and Washington Spectator. He has been a guest speaker at events for different organizations ranging from the University of East London to the People's Assembly covering various topics. His opinion is that the mainstream media has a duty to challenge power, rather than to serve power. Richard has taught writing poetry for performance at Brunel University.

Netanyahu predictably tries to whip Congress into hysteria over Iran - just as over Iraq

Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli PM and a warmonger delivered his speech to the US Congress Tuesday arguing that the political and economic grip on Iran should be tightened and not loosened.

His speech came as talks continue between Tehran and Washington over the possibility of reducing Iran's civil nuclear program in exchange for the economic sanctions which have crippled the Iranian economy being lifted.

Netanyahu has insisted that his on-going tirade against Iran is not political, and that his unfounded assertion that Iran poses a nuclear threat is based in reality, (similarly to when he suggested in 2002 that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction) and is nothing to do with the forthcoming elections in Israel.

Against the evidence which contradicts his claim that Iran is on the cusp of developing a nuclear bomb, and is intent on using it against Israel and its neighbors, Netanyahu took to the podium to repeat the tired old mantra that Iran is a grave threat to peace in the Middle East.

He urged congress not to "repeat the mistakes of the past" and referred to the Iranian government as a "murderous regime" in stark contrast of course to the democratic ideals of peace and fairness which Israel strives to uphold.

The reality is that it is Israel which threatens long-term peace in the region, with the diplomatic and military support of the US.Netanyahu's speech to the US Congress absolutely highlighted the absurdity of the unwavering special relationship between Washington and Tel Aviv.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad visits the Natanz nuclear enrichment facility, 350 km (217 miles) south of Tehran, April 8, 2008. (Reuters/Presidential official website)

Although some Democrats made a point of not showing up, the rest of Congress responded with enthusiasm to Netanyahu's speech, clapping heartily and rising to their feet many times as Netanyahu reiterated his commitment in dragging the US and its allies into an unwanted war with Iran.He even went so far as to suggest that "even if Israel has to stand alone Israel will stand," again to a thunderous rapture from Congress, the irony apparently lost on them because if Israel continues down the path of aggression, many believe that Israel will indeed find itself more and more isolated.

But not everyone reacted with the same enthusiasm as Congress ahead of Netanyahu's anticipated speech, and in the immediate aftermath.

Demonstrations were held by groups in Washington DC and New York including by Orthodox Jews, who have long maintained that the actions of the state of Israel both in Palestine, and regarding its aggressive position toward Iran go against the peaceful tenants of Judaism. And they are right.

In the same way the Orthodox Jews who marched in London in protest at Israel's bombing of Gaza last summer were airbrushed from much of the MSM coverage, the number of Jews protesting Netanyahu's address to Congress was not given much focus.

Twitter users attempted to get a #Skipthespeech hash-tag circulating as a way of protesting Netanyahu's ramping up hype against Israel which before the speech yesterday, was trending.

Netanyahu is a madman - the biggest threat to peace. #SkipTheSpeech #Netanyahu pic.twitter.com/r80Qh2LQPK
— joel rayner (@joe_n1nety) March 3, 2015

In one video which was widely circulated, the point is reiterated, that all of the hyperbole we hear against Iran, is familiar propaganda which we've sadly become used to: Netanyahu's hysteria over Iran chillingly echoes that which was repeated throughout the world in the run up to the illegal war waged against Iraq in 2003.

A recent poll by NBC in fact indicated that "nearly half of Americans take issue" with Netanyahu making such an inflammatory speech.It seems that the world is waking up, while the Israeli leadership continues to operate in a bubble, their heads firmly in the sand.

Netanyahu's and AIPAC’s (American Israel Public Affairs Committee) attempts to derail the talks between Tehran and Washington are quite obviously the war drums beating.Questions about the internal leadership and politics of Iran cannot be used to justify Netanyahu's stance on Iran as many liberals seem to think.No country is free from criticism, including Iran.But those questions are for another debate.Netanyahu's speech is part of a war of aggression against Iran. In this context, compared to the military actions of Israel, Iran has nothing to answer for.It's notable, that in his speech, Netanyahu cited Persian aggression towards Jews from 2000 plus years ago as a justification for Israel's continued aggression in the present day.The country wasn't even named Iran in the period he is referring to.He has no recent examples to back up his argument.

#SkipTheSpeech '@Netanyahu @IsraelPM is not welcome to speak & war monger in OUR CONGRESS bypassing POTUS to do so. pic.twitter.com/ITSUpiPMwx
— T (@southerntalker) February 24, 2015

If the world followed Netanyahu's advice at the beginning of Obama's tenure we'd already be in the midst of a war with Iran. That was several years ago and no nuclear weapon (surprise) has yet emerged from Iran (although Israel and many other nations most certainly do have them).Why should the world take Netanyahu's advice seriously now?

Bibi as he is affectionately known is tripping over himself to sabotage any progress which might be made between the US and Iran, despite the fact that after only several hours of talks, Iran has already suggested Obama's plan to reverse Iran's civilian nuclear program in return for the lifting of harsh economic sanctions on the country is unreasonable.

Furthermore, it was revealed recently that Netanyahu's claims about Iran were contradicted by Israel's own intelligence service.

It is interesting that Netanyahu cynically evoked "mistakes of the past" to justify thwarting any steps towards diplomacy between Iran and the US when it is Israel which continues to act as judge juror and executioner of the Palestinian people.And it is Obama's administration which has done nothing but allow Netanyahu to do as he likes-even authorizing extra ammunition be sent to Israel in order to assist the bombing of Gaza last year.No wonder Netanyahu feels he can do what he likes, he has so far met no resistance from the US government and has been appeased at every juncture.

The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of RT.

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