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Netanyahu: Israel Prefers Diplomatic Solution, Just Not an 'Exceedingly Bad' Deal

November 17, 2013

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel prefers and has the most to gain from a diplomatic solution with Iran Sunday on State of the Union.

However, the current deal being discussed between western nations and Iran is an "exceedingly bad" deal because it does not force the regime to give up any nuclear capability, Netanyahu said:

CANDY CROWLEY: […] My question to you, because I know you're very skeptical of this and have not liked what you heard so far, is there any interim deal that you would think was all right?

PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU: First of all, I prefer diplomatic solution. I prefer a peaceful solution. Who wouldn't? Israel has the most to gain from a peaceful diplomatic solution because we're on the firing line anyway you look at it. So we need a good solution. That's the main point. I think the problem with a partial deal is that you reduce the sanctions and in this case you reduce the sanctions let out a lot of pressure and Iran is practically giving away nothing. It's making a minor concession which they can reverse in weeks and you endanger the whole sanctions regime which took years to make. So I don't think it's a good deal. I think it's a bad deal, an extremely bad deal. We need a good deal.

Full interview: