By David K. Shipler
The Senate’s failure to block the
agreement with Iran may look like a defeat for Israel, whose government lobbied
so intensely against it, but in reality Israel is likely to benefit in two ways
if the deal is implemented. First, Iran will be impeded in pursuing nuclear
weapons. Second, Israel will get more security aid from the United States.
The first point has been
ferociously debated, of course. The second, however, is indisputable. The Obama
administration was reportedly eager to start talks with Israel about enhanced
assistance as the Iran deal was completed. Democratic supporters of the
agreement, pressed by AIPAC, the pro-Israel organization, are ready to improve
their political standing by by compensating Israel with new weaponry.
An example is Sen. Cory Booker of
New Jersey, who declared when he endorsed the Iran deal, “The U.S. should
provide Israel with access to the Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) to help
deter Iranian cheating.” That’s the bunker-busting bomb, which might be able to
reach buried, fortified nuclear facilities. It would presumably enable Israel
to start a war that the United States would have to finish.
