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Readers React: Netanyahu is right to warn Congress about Iran

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a faction meeting at the Knesset last December. On Tuesday, Netanyahu will address Congress on Iran.
(Sebastian Scheiner / Associated Press)
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To the editor: Yuli Edelstein is correct in asking everyone in the United States to heed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s message. (“Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech to Congress comes at right time, right place,” op-ed, Feb. 26)

The entire Middle East would be in jeopardy if the West punted the ball to Iran so it could resume developing a nuclear bomb 10 years down the line. Iran has been known to deceive us in the past.

In addition, if we allow Iran any capability at all, it would be a tacit nod to Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Egypt to pursue their own programs. Iran has publicly announced its desire to destroy Israel, but it’s not only Israel that is at risk — the entire Middle East is threatened by Iran having a bomb.

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Let’s all heed Netanyahu’s message.

Jack Salem, Los Angeles

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To the editor: Edelstein, the speaker of the Knesset, would probably never dare invite a foreign head of state to address the Israeli parliament without coordinating with the office of the prime minister.

His demagoguery to defend Netanyahu’s appearance before Congress is a sham. Netanyahu is here because he is loosing ground in the polls leading to the election on March 17.

President Obama has stated that the U.S. will never allow Iran to develop nuclear weapons. This is, according to Edelstein, Israel’s “best friend” that he asserts is prepared to allow Iran to “level [Israel’s] house.”

Michael Katz, Woodland Hills

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To the editor: How about we just hear the messenger? The more the current administration wants to stop Israel’s prime minister from addressing Congress, the more I want to hear Netanyahu speak.

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Both George W. Bush and Obama made gross errors with their policies in the Middle East. Let’s hear out an ally and expert in the region. Is the “deal” with Iran so bad that it can’t withstand a speech?

Netanyahu called for the upcoming Knesset election. Delivering a speech in the U.S. won’t do anything to help him in Israel. It’s a very complicated area with lots of issues.

Paul Zimmelman, Marina del Rey

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To the editor: At last count, nine countries possessed nuclear weapons, which were designed and developed to inflict devastating damage on the people of other countries.

No one in the world is living in complete safety from the threat of nuclear weapons, nor will the horrific effects of such weapons be mitigated by claims of religious inspiration, democratic philosophy, moral superiority or any other rhetoric spouted by whichever monsters decide to use them.

I defy Israel’s government to promulgate a list of conditions under which the use of nuclear weapons is the best course of action for mankind. Failing that, how can it be deemed reasonable for any country (including Israel) to possess them?

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Since we all face the existential threat posed by nuclear weapons, Israel’s special pleading over Iran makes no sense.

Elliott Rothman, Santa Monica

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