Washington – Israel Ambassador to the U.S. Michael Oren has continued to respond to concerns that the United States and Israel are in disagreement about how to address a nuclear Iran.
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In an interview with Israel Hayom (http://bit.ly/SejvT5), Oren said, “There is no crisis with the United States,” and added that the Obama administration was not pressuring Israel to hold off on reacting to Iran’s nuclear program.
“The Americans hear the threats made by Iran’s leaders, who want to destroy Israel. It is clear to me that the Americans are asking themselves, ‘What would we do in their place?'” Oren said. “If Israel ultimately decides to take action against Iran, we will receive extremely widespread support from the American people and Congress, and President [Barack] Obama will continue to recognize our right to defend ourselves on our own. It won’t create a rift with the United States.”
A March 11 Reuters/Ipsos Public Affairs poll found that 62% of Americans support Israeli military action against Iran provided there is proof that Iran is building a nuclear weapon. Yet, 30% of Americans oppose such military action, even if there is evidence of a nuclear weapon. In an ABC News/Washington Post poll also conducted in March, only 42% of Americans supported bombing Iran’s nuclear facilities, with 51% opposed.
Oren has said he believes the U.S.-Israeli bond will remain intact regardless of how Israel decides to react to Iran.
