Israel's reaction concerning the agreement signed by Iran and six powers in Geneva is harsh. That was expected in the light of all the previous utterances by its official representatives. On the other hand it is completely illogical in the view of the fact that Israel is likely to suffer the brunt of the Iranian response in the case of military confrontation. Ultimately this agreement is likely to be one of the most important documents that has been signed on the Middle East recently.
The reasons why Israel is so concerned about this agreement is not limited to the possibility of Iran acquiring nuclear weapons. Since the Iranian Revolution of 1979 Iran has replaced Arab countries like Egypt and Syria as the leader of anti-Zionist camp. This position is based on both ideological (expressing pan-Islamic solidarity with the oppressed Palestinians) and practical (picking up a rallying cause among not-too-friendly Arab neighbors) grounds. Until now, however, this anti-Israeli sentiment was a mere part of a general anti-Western stance by the Iranian government. Should the West and the Iranians find the way to patch up their differences Israel will ultimately have to face Iran on its own.
This perspective is ostensibly very negative as far as Israel is concerned for a number of reasons. First, Iran has changed a lot during the last decade. It has turned into a new technological and certainly economical powerhouse of the region. Unlike what has been suggested by many, adherence to Islam has proven to be compatible with modern science, at least many branches of it. Iran has also demonstrated a convincing measure of stability and self reliance, which in today's world, seems like a rare assets even in the once-rock solid Europe or Northern America. With its 80 millions of population and third largest oil reserve in the world Iran seems to be more than a match for a 8-million Israel, engulfed in numerous internal and external problems.
Another and less obvious reason for Israel to oppose the agreement is that the confrontational Iran presented a convenient background for Israel's own misdemeanors. It both distracted the international community's attention from Israel's inability to solve the Palestinian problem in a satisfactory manner and directly justified some of the more glaring extravagances of Israel's military spending. Now, when the Iranian nuclear weapon program, hypothetical or true, might cease to be at the center of everyone's attention, Israel's behavior stands to be examined more closely.
Yet this document may have another potentially decisive consequence for the region. For many decades now, Israel with the US at its side has been living in a land of limitless possibilities. It has virtually become "too big for its pants". It lost the sense of reality and the limits of its own power. This agreement might be an important step in bringing Israel back to its natural size, so it can consider the solutions for its problems within the framework of realistic compromise rather than arrogant diktat. The ultimate strategy for Israel in its standoff with Iran lies in finding a just and mutually acceptable solution for the problems with its neighbors, primarily the Palestinians and Syrians. It's been well past the time for Israel to rectify its historical record and its public image. And, as much as I, an Israeli, resent being called a rabid dog, Iran may do a good service to Israel by providing an urgent impetus to do the right thing.
