Former Israeli official: Israel & Iran could have good relations

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00:00One of the things that has really struck me, and I've talked to a couple of our guests in the last 24 hours about this,

00:05is a comment from a Middle East-based diplomat from the United States by the name of Tom Barrack.

00:12He says that a ceasefire between Iran and Israel could pave the way for a whole new Middle East.

00:20Mr. Meridore, what do you read into that?

00:23Well, I can't go into the head of someone I don't know and haven't heard, but I've said the following.

00:29If there is this expanding of stability and peace between us and Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states and Syria and Lebanon,

00:39there is sort of counterbalance between Iran and the others.

00:42After all, Iran was a threat to Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and all the others, they all say.

00:48So I think there is a way to what they call the moderate Sunni countries, and Israel can create more stability.

00:54But I would say something further, which is a longer-range view, may seem somewhat naive.

01:01There is no inherent conflict between Israel and Iran.

01:04If Iran stops speaking about destroying Israel and accepts Israel as a legitimate neighbor in the Middle East,

01:10there's no reason why we should not have a good relationship with Iran.

01:13We had it until the Revolution of 79 with the Mullahs coming in.

01:17You remember that when the Shah was imposed.

01:19We had a very good relationship.

01:21There is no border problem.

01:23The Iranians speak in religious terms that Israel is not legitimate and should be removed.

01:28As long as this is the case, there cannot be reconciliation.