CNN's Carol Costello badgered Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat on Monday's CNN Newsroom over Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech to Congress. Costello played up how "some say the relationship between Israel and the United States has become partisan for the first time ever," and asked Mayor Barkat if he agreed. The anchor later asked her guest, "Couldn't you argue that Benjamin Netanyahu is being used by the Republicans in the American Congress?" [video below]
Costello first hyped that Netanyahu "angered many Democrats here in the United States when he spoke before Congress," and continued with her "partisan for the first time ever" statement. The Israeli politician responded, in part, that "the values and the cooperation between Israel and the United States is unbreakable and unshakable. Naturally, even in the family, sometimes we have difference of opinions, and I think that that's the way we should view this."
The CNN anchor interrupted the mayor mid-answer, and contended that "you have Benjamin Netanyahu coming to the United States, sort of, telling our government how to deal with Iran. And then, you have Republicans, just today, sending this open letter to Iranian authorities – telling them that any deal that would be reached would probably be rescinded after President Obama leaves office." She added that "it seems like Benjamin Netanyahu has aligned himself with Republicans and vice-versa against a Democratic president."
Mayor Barkat, who has endorsed Netanyahu for prime minister, replied by defending the Israeli leader: "I think that if you look at it in a bit of perspective, he's doing his job. He's protecting Israel. He's coming out to the United States, and to anybody who wants to hear, and raising a red flag – don't do bad deal. I appreciate him for that."
Costello again interrupted her guest with her "being used by the Republicans" question. The politician denied that this was the case, and continued his defense of the prime minister: "This is something deep into the future of Israel. We went through one holocaust. We're not going to go through another one. And if he's got to go out there and say – and voice out his voice, he's got my support."
The transcript of the relevant portion of the Carol Costello interview of Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat from Monday's CNN Newsroom:
CAROL COSTELLO: Benjamin Netanyahu – he's angered many Democrats here in the United States when he spoke before Congress. Some say the relationship between Israel and the United States has become partisan for the first time ever. The relationship has splintered. Do you agree?
MAYOR NIR BARKAT, JERUSALEM: Well, I think that the values and the cooperation between Israel and the United States is unbreakable and unshakable. Naturally, even in the family, sometimes we have difference of opinions, and I think that that's the way we should view this. The values, the vision – the only democracy in the Middle East that understands and appreciates the United States is Israel. And I, as doing business – I'm an entrepreneur, so I did a lot of business in North America – I know how close the relationships are and always should be.
Now, I think there's difference of opinions on the approach and the threat that Iran poses. We're first in line, as I said earlier, and we're most concerned; and unfortunately, don't trust the Iranians. And trying to do a deal is something that Prime Minister Netanyahu dearly cares about, and is deeply concerned about-
COSTELLO: Well, Mr. Mayor, if I – if I can interrupt for just a second, because here – here's the thing. You have Benjamin Netanyahu coming to the United States, sort of, telling our government how to deal with Iran. And then, you have Republicans, just today, sending this open letter to Iranian authorities – telling them that any deal that would be reached would probably be rescinded after President Obama leaves office. It seems like Benjamin Netanyahu has aligned himself with Republicans and vice-versa against a Democratic president that Democrats in the United States – or Republicans in the United States – don't agree with.
BARKAT: Well, look at it this way: I think that Prime Minister Netanyahu had two choices, or – to voice out before a deal is signed – or it may be in a decade from now, people will ask him, why didn't you voice out your voice before the bad deal?' So Netanyahu had two bad choices, if you like: to voice out and to get some criticism; or not to voice out his voice and say what he is concerned about, and forever being blamed for not speaking up for the Israeli state. So I think that if you look at it in a bit of perspective, he's doing his job. He's protecting Israel. He's coming out to the United States, and to anybody who wants to hear, and raising a red flag – don't do bad deal. I – I appreciate him for that. And even if he got some criticism – don't talk about the process; talk about the message.
COSTELLO: Couldn't you argue that Benjamin Netanyahu is being used by the Republicans in the American Congress?
BARKAT: No, no; no, not at all! Look, the subject matter – focus on the subject matter a second. If you were an Israeli, and you knew that Iran – the biggest enemy of Israel, supporting all the terrorist groups that haunt us and fire rockets at us – would they blink twice in giving or sending or firing a nuke at Israel? They wouldn't blink twice. They don't care what America thinks. So, it's his duty – Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's duty – to come and raise that red flag, regardless of the criticism he may receive from one party or another.
This is something deep into the future of Israel. We went through one holocaust. We're not going to go through another one. And if he's got to go out there and say – and voice out his voice, he's got my support. He's got the majority of the Jewish people supporting him on this. And hopefully, you understand, it's not just our problem. We may be first, but the Iranian regime doesn't like America. I've been there on September 11. I saw who was happy when I saw the two twin towers fall. It's this same regime in Gaza and other places in the world. They are not your friend. They're not our friend, unfortunately.
COSTELLO: All right. Mayor Nir Barkat, thank you so much for joining us. I appreciate it.
BARKAT: Thank you.
