Netanyahu’s Objections to An Iranian Arms Deal Relies on Drug Dealing Analogies

July 21, 2015

Prime Minister Netanyahu clutched on the maximum number of days (24) International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors could be denied access to suspect facilities as the most promising provision for disparaging the Iranian Arms Agreement.  According to the Prime Minister, allowing the Iranians as many as 24 days to deny access is analogous to the police calling a drug dealer, 24 days before checking the premises.  In Prime Minister Netanyahu’s judgement, 24 days is a lot of time to flush a lot of methamphetamine down the toilet. 

While this analogy seems to have been persuasive for some organizations like AIPAC, other organizations, like J Street, have found the analogy to be off point.  A more apt analogy would include three conditions Prime Minister Netanyahu choose to ignore.  First, the meth dealer’s premises would have to be monitored with a camera and other equipment 24/7.  Second, the drug dealer’s meth stash would be laced with radioactive material traceable to years.  Third, punishment by the U.S. and its allies would not be dependent seizing any drugs.  

If Prime Minister Netanyahu were to use an honest analogy,  the maximum 24 day delay in accessing a suspect site evaporates as a reason for undermining the agreement.  The Prime Minister’s strongest objection is so fragile it must be bolstered by a misleading analogy.