Opposition leader Yair Lapid said on Sunday that the specter of a nuclear Iran was an existential threat not just to Israel but the entire Middle East.
Speaking with Ted Deutch, CEO of American Jewish Committee (AJC) during the opening session of AJC Global Forum in Tel Aviv, Lapid warned the US not to sign any agreement with Iran, the world”s largest state sponsor of terrorism, and curtail Iran”s nuclear ambitions.
“On this there is no coalition or opposition in Israel. Everybody’s on the same note, telling the American administration: Do not sign a bad deal. We saw what happened last time you did it. Right now, Iran a couple of months ago has enriched uranium to 84 percent. When they were asked about it, they said it was by mistake. I think I’m on the details of what it is and there’s no way of enriching 84 percent by mistake,” he said.
“This needs to be part of a global mission. This needs to be orchestrated and the Americans are the ones who need to orchestrate it, and just signing “less for less” or some sort of a new version of JCPOA is not good enough,” added Lapid.
The opposition leader also said that the battle over a proposed overhaul of Israel”s judicial system is proof that democracy in Israel remains vibrant and an example for the world.
He noted that the fact that judicial reform is being so vigorously debated is at the heart of what has been Israel”s strength for its 75 years of independence.
“If we will not be a democracy we will not be, it’s existential,” Lapid said. “Israel was founded as a democracy. This is the source of our power. It amazes me that there’s so many people who do not understand the fact that there is a reason why it is the only democracy in the Middle East, it”s also the most successful country in the Middle East.”

Lapid said the opinions of Diaspora Jews should be taken into account despite the views of some Israelis who view judicial reform as strictly an internal matter.
“You should tell us what you think. And we want to hear what you have to say,” Lapid said. “I mean, there are some parts of the Israeli society who find some twisted joy in, surrounding themselves with emotional and intellectual walls and not listening to anyone but people who feel the same or think the same. I am not doing this.”