Bibi Netanyahu is not so popular in the White House following his spat with US president Barack Obama over Iran’s alleged race to develop nuclear weapons. The Israeli leader is accusing Obama of “giving up” because he is pursuing talks with Iran over its nuclear programme.
The US government is said to be close to a deal that could see a relaxation of sanctions, and is wary of antagonising Iran at a time when it needs its full cooperation in the war against Islamic State. Now the Democrats, including vice president Joe Biden, are threatening to boycott a speech by Netanyahu to the US Congress.
In 2012 Netanyahu made what has become an infamous foot-in-mouth speech when he warned the UN that Iran was a year away from developing a nuclear bomb. His drew a picture of a bomb to reinforce his point. Unfortunately he has been undermined by Mossad, the Israeli secret service. According to a leaked report by the spy agency Iran is “not performing the activity necessary to produce weapons”. The cables confirm what Iran had been saying for many years that its programme was geared towards producing nuclear power, rather than warheads.
The unprecedented row comes as Bibi’s private life has come under the spotlight. An Israeli newspaper revealed that he and his wife used public funds to finance their lavish lifestyle while treating their servants like dirt. The couple were said to have spent £11,700 on takeaways, as well as using state funds to buy garden furniture. Sara Netanyahu was also accused of pocketing the refund on used bottles that should have gone back into the treasury.
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