Rivlin rejects Germany’s proposal for Israel to join nuclear talks

Israeli President Reuven Rivlin has rejected a German proposal for Israel to join nuclear talks with Iran, saying that he wants to keep all options open to Israel.

Rivlin’s words came during a visit by the Israeli president to Germany to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two sides, during which he met with the German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

The visit comes in conjunction with renewed nuclear talks in Geneva on Tuesday between the P5 + 1 and Iran to reach a final nuclear deal before 30 June.

Israeli newspaper Maariv reported this morning that officials in Germany proposed for Rivlin to join the final agreement talks with Iran.

The newspaper added that Rivlin rejected the proposal, saying that Israel cannot join the talks so as not to commit itself to one way or the other and in order to keep all options open to them in the event of an “existential threat”.

Rivlin echoed the remarks of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding Israel’s concern about the expected agreement, as well as “Tehran’s activity in the area through Hezbollah and Hamas.”

He added that Israel believes that maintaining existing sanctions on Iran will force it to abandon its plans to acquire nuclear weapons.

Netanyahu said previously in a meeting with German Defence Minister Ursula von der Line, that “Israel considers the imperialist efforts of Iran, with its pursuit to possess nuclear weapons, is the biggest threat to the security of Israel, the Middle East, and all the world.”

On the other hand, German Foreign Minister Htaanmayr said to Maariv that he will give attention to the security of Israel during the talks with Iran.