Israel’s Former Leader Slams Netanyahu Over US

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, right, and former Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert, left, attend the funeral of Israeli politician Zeev Boim, in Binyamina, Israel, Monday, March 21, 2011. Zeev Boim, a hawkish I... Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, right, and former Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert, left, attend the funeral of Israeli politician Zeev Boim, in Binyamina, Israel, Monday, March 21, 2011. Zeev Boim, a hawkish Israeli parliamentarian who served as housing minister and deputy defense minister among other posts, died Friday after a long fight with cancer. He was 67. (AP Photo/Moti Milrod, Pool) MORE LESS
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TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert says his successor has severely damaged the country’s relations with the United States.

Speaking before a security conference, Olmert said Sunday that Benjamin Netanyahu’s public criticism of the American-led nuclear deal with Iran was provocative and counterproductive. He said he too would differ with the American president, but always made sure to do so in private.

In an apparent response, Netanyahu responded that in contrast to others when it came to the vital security of Israel’s citizens “I will not be silent.”

Netanyahu has called the interim deal with Iran a “historic mistake” and declared Israel not bound by the agreement.

Netanyahu believes Iran is determined to produce a nuclear bomb and offering it relief from sanctions at this time amounts to appeasement.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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