ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the relationship between Israel and Iran during the time that Benjamin Netanyahu has been Israel’s prime minister. Iran has been at the center of Israel’s foreign policy under Netanyahu with virtually every policy initiative undertaken with a view as to how it would affect the Iranian threat. After a brief historical review of Israeli-Iranian relations, the chapter focuses on Netanyahu’s view that Iran poses an existential threat to Israel. Arguments for and against Iran’s ability to endanger Israel’s survival are presented. Next, Netanyahu’s efforts to derail the US-supported Iranian nuclear deal are discussed. The chapter argues that the collapse of the nuclear deal would ultimately prove harmful to Israel’s interests by again placing the decision of what to do about a resurgent Iranian nuclear capability at the forefront of Israel’s security concerns.
