“The threat from Iran is serious. I compare the nuclear deal to the Munich Agreement. I am not saying that Trump is like [former British prime minister] Winston Churchill, but I believe if Churchill had had the chance to cancel or change the agreement [Churchill’s predecessor Neville] Chamberlain reached with Hitler, then we might have prevented what happened after that,” Katz said.

AD

AD

On Friday, even as Trump called on Congress to set new conditions for the nuclear deal with Iran, the leaders of Britain, France and Germany urged the United States to stick with the agreement, hailing it as the culmination of 13 years of diplomacy. Iran said it would not consider any amendments.

Iranian leaders have often denounced Israel and called for its downfall. Iran also points out what it calls a hypocritical policy from the West over nuclear issues in the region. Israel is believed to have a significant nuclear arsenal, but it neither confirms nor denies its existence. Israel is also not a member of the global nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, which leaves it outside international monitoring.

Katz, an influential member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, said Sunday that all of Israel’s political leaders view Trump’s stance in the same positive light.

AD

AD

I sat down with him in his office in Jerusalem to find out why. This interview has been edited and condensed for space and clarity.

Q: During negotiations between Iran and the P5+1, Netanyahu repeatedly said it was a bad deal. He even spoke against it at a joint meeting of Congress on this issue. Do you finally feel someone is listening?

A: It is not just there is someone listening to us. There is now someone who totally agrees with us.

From our perspective, Friday’s speech was both dramatic and historical. I compare it to what happened to the Jews on the eve of the Second World War. At that time, they did not have a country and received no help from anyone. Now we have a country and we have decided that we cannot accept this agreement; we also have the backing of the strongest power in the world.

AD

AD

You need to look at this from a historical perspective, not a political one. Netanyahu raised the issue of Iran’s threat to annihilate Israel. He sent a clear message that we cannot live with this deal, and the president agreed to change it or cancel it.

Q: Why do you think this time around the U.S. administration appears to have embraced Israel’s position?

A: None of this would have been possible if the threat from North Korea had not increased. What happened in North Korea was very dramatic. Suddenly there was a nuclear threat against America’s allies in Asia. It then became clear that Iran needs to be dealt [with] so that it cannot get to that same point.

AD

The lesson is that discussions and deals with dictatorships trying to reach nuclear capability do not work. We saw that happen with North Korea. None of the agreements with them have stopped them from gaining nuclear capability.

AD

The situation today is that Japan and South Korea live in fear; there are no suitable solutions for them. What will happen in the Middle East if there is a situation where Iran becomes a nuclear nation? It will turn the region into the most dangerous in the world.

Q: Do you believe that the deal reached in 2015 could spark a nuclear arms race in the Middle East if it is not changed or canceled?

A: Of course!

Now that Trump has allowed South Korea to change the type of ballistic weapons and their range because of the nuclear threat from North Korea, what will happen here? The Egyptians, the Saudis will go to the U.S. to get a green light to develop their own nuclear arsenals to protect themselves from Iran.

AD

And in the end, who will face the biggest threat? Israel.

AD

Q: But Israel says it faces a more immediate threat from Iran’s expansion in the region, especially into Syria. So why the pressure to change or cancel the nuclear agreement?

A: When you focus on the deal, eventually you also get to the issue of conventional weapons and supporting terror. It’s impossible to get there any other way.

This is the language that the president understands. If the prime minister told the president about the thousands of militia groups like Hezbollah present in Syria, there would be no dramatic change, but talking to him about North Korea and Iran becoming nuclear nations — that is the language that draws his attention.

AD

Q: It seems only Israel and the U.S. want to change or cancel the deal. The Europeans, Russians, Chinese have all argued against it. Can it be changed if the other signatories oppose?

AD

A: The Europeans are also worried about some of the elements of the deal such as the sunset clause [which sets expiration dates on limits imposed on Iran’s nuclear program].

The Europeans need to join America in taking steps against Iran. There need to be sanctions against the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the Quds Force. Everyone can see what is happening in North Korea. I believe they will eventually change their views.

Q: Don’t you think that Trump’s speech raises tensions between the U.S. and Iran. Could it even lead to war?

AD

A: I believe it will prevent a war. The Iranians are smart. They understand that any new sanctions will hurt their economy and their citizens.

Now that sanctions have been eased, it will be harder for them to go back to being sanctioned. Psychologically, it is even worse.

Q: So, what happens now?

A: Trump’s decision to try to change the deal will allow Israel to have a bigger role in shaping what happens in the future.