Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared Wednesday evening at a ceremony for the reburial of Theodor Herzl's grandparents that Israel's existence is not subject to negotiation. "Trump is our greatest friend, but I want to make clear — Israel's existence is not subject to negotiation. With or without a deal, we will do everything necessary to secure our future," he said. The remarks reaffirm Israel's red lines amid ongoing US-Iran nuclear talks.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared tonight (Wednesday, 17:39 Jerusalem) that Israel's existence is not subject to negotiation, explicitly linking his remarks to the ongoing US-Iran nuclear talks. Speaking at the state ceremony for the reburial of Theodor Herzl's grandparents, Netanyahu said: "Trump is our greatest friend, but I want to make clear — Israel's existence is not subject to negotiation. With or without a deal, we will do everything necessary to secure our future." The statement underscores Israel's red lines as the United States and Iran finalize a memorandum of understanding on nuclear issues.
The Zioneer first reported the ceremony and the prime minister's remarks at 17:39 Jerusalem. Initial reports captured his call for national unity and his assertion of Israeli sovereignty. Subsequent updates highlighted his praise for President Trump and his appreciation for US efforts against Iran's ambitions. The current update frames the remarks in the context of the nuclear negotiations, a development Netanyahu has addressed in multiple recent statements. The Zioneer has previously reported on Netanyahu's consistent position: on June 11, he clarified that Israel is not a party to the US-Iran deal; on June 15, he stated that Iran will not obtain nuclear weapons "with or without a deal"; and on July 3, he and President Trump agreed to meet in Washington, with Iran on the agenda.
The ceremony took place against the backdrop of the final stages of the US-Iran nuclear memorandum. Prime Minister Netanyahu's visit to Washington for a summit with President Trump on July 27, as The Zioneer reported, was centered on Iran and ensuring that any future framework includes the dismantling of Iran's enrichment capabilities. The prime minister has consistently emphasized that Israel's security interests remain independent of any international agreement.
The specific terms of the US-Iran memorandum have not been publicly detailed, and it remains unclear how the final agreement will address Israel's red lines. Netanyahu did not specify any operational measures Israel might take in response to the deal.
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