Ron Dermer, Ambassador of Israel. Israel's ambassador addresses GOP hardliners on Iran deal

Israel’s ambassador to the United States, Ron Dermer, on Wednesday told 40 of the most conservative Republicans in Congress that the Iranian nuclear deal negotiated by the administration does little to protect Israel from aggression.

Capitalizing on a widespread distrust of the nuclear proliferation deal among congressional Republicans, Dermer argued that in the past, the U.S. generally had support from neighboring countries when it crafted arms deal but this time it is acting without the support of its closest allies in the Middle East.


At the event organized by Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa), Dermer said Israel is skeptical that the billions of dollars Iran is expected to receive once a series of decades-old sanctions is lifted wouldn’t be used to fund terrorism that targets Israel. Under the agreement, those funds are to be earmarked for the development of Iran’s beleaguered economy.

“If we hand them $150 billion … that’s huge. They are within two to three months of nuclear breakout and they can build one weapon with the resources they have in that period of time if they adopt the Obama-negotiated agreement,” King said.

Dermer wasn’t speaking at the Iowa Republican’s Conservative Opportunity Society to persuade GOP hard-liners to oppose the deal. The Republican conference is broadly opposed and will likely vote en masse to oppose the agreement. Instead, it was a chance for Israel to continue the aggressive outreach it’s planned to try to turn lawmakers against the agreement.

Dermer has met with 350 House members in the past 20 months, in addition to 85 senators, an Israeli official said. In its lobbying efforts, Israel plans to aggressively Democrats as the party is widely considered to be holding the swing votes between sustaining a veto from President Barack Obama or blocking the agreement. Dermer has met with two dozen Democrats on the deal in the past few weeks, the official said.

Republicans likely have the numbers to block the Iran deal when it comes to the House floor after Congress’ 60-day review period. Obama has said he would veto that legislation.

At the Republican meeting Wednesday, Dermer stuck to points outlined months ago by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his joint address to Congress.

“He was making the case about how it would be bad for the U.S. and disruptive for the entire Middle East because the [intercontinental ballistic missiles] they are creating will have the ability to hit U.S. soil, too. The deal as it was negotiated opens up a lot more problems than it solves, from his point of view,” Rep. Doug Lamalfa (R-Calif.) said of Dermer’s presentation.

Rep. Daniel Webster (R-Fla.) said one of Dermer’s strongest arguments was that Republicans and Israel feel as if the U.S. is acting alone.

“About 20 years ago, we did a deal with the North Koreans and the two most vulnerable countries there were South Korea and Japan, and they were for the agreement. The friends of the United States were for the agreement but in this case most of our friends, who are the most vulnerable, are against the agreement,” Webster said. “We ought to at least take a second look, a second thought about that because they are the ones who have to withstand what we are allowing.”

Jake Sherman contributed to this report.