Hillel Neuer appeared on NewsNation with Anna Kooiman to discuss the dangers of negotiating with Iran’s extremist regime and the UN’s ineffectiveness in holding Iran accountable.
Full Transcript:
Anna Kooiman, NewsNation: Out at the White House between President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, tackling tariffs, Gaza’s future, and Iran’s nuclear threat. The two talked about the recent 17% U.S. tariffs impacting Israeli exports like machinery and medical equipment. The leaders emphasized the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas, with Trump warning of severe consequences if negotiations fail.
President Donald Trump (recorded video): We are trying very hard to get the hostages out. We’re looking at another ceasefire. We’ll see what happens, but we want to get the hostages out. The Israeli people want the hostages out. More than anything, they want the hostages out.
Anna Kooiman, NewsNation: Well, joining us now to talk more is Hillel Neuer, the Executive Director of UN Watch. Great to see you.
Hillel Neuer: Thank you for having me.
Anna Kooiman, NewsNation: Yes, so Israel is committing to bringing down the trade deficit with the United States. We saw Bibi Netanyahu saying this yesterday. What could this mean for both countries, especially with the U.S. imposing a 17% tariff on Israeli goods?
Hillel Neuer: Well, look, Israel’s the tiny player here, so it’ll impact Israel much more than the United States. For Israel, the 17% tariffs could be a $2 billion hit on the economy. Manufacturers say they could lose perhaps 20,000 jobs. So it’s quite significant for a small country like Israel.
Clearly, Netanyahu has made the case. He came in offering himself to remove trade barriers. Trump’s reply was maybe he’ll move the tariffs-maybe not. My guess is that Trump will want to do so, but not immediately. And he’ll have to see how other countries, you know, make their deals as well.
Anna Kooiman, NewsNation: All right. Well, President Trump announced that direct talks are happening with Iran over its nuclear program. What is UN Watch’s stance on these negotiations, and what do you expect to come from these talks? Apparently, this weekend, things are really going to get going.
Hillel Neuer: Look, the first thing to understand with the Islamic regime in Iran is that these are fanatical extremists. They truly believe that God wants them to destroy Israel. They negotiate not to make peace, but to buy time. We have to remember that no deal is better than a bad deal.
We need a deal that ends Iran’s nuclear program-not just something that delays it. We need verification. It has to be intrusive. It’s got to be permanent, enforceable. Anything less will be surrender.
Anna Kooiman, NewsNation: I think that should be underlined-no deal is better than a bad deal. What measures should the UN use to make sure Iran actually complies with the deal? If there is a deal, how do we make sure they stick with it?
Hillel Neuer: Well, if the UN were to be helpful, the Security Council should impose maximum pressure. Sanctions worked-weakening them only gave the regime more oxygen. Sadly, when it comes to the UN, the only body that could take real action is the Security Council, but Iran’s sponsors are there to take blocking maneuvers. We’re talking about Vladimir Putin’s Russia, Xi Jinping’s China. The result is the UN is not, sadly, going to be the one that’s going to help on these matters.
Keep in mind, the United Nations a couple of years ago elected Iran to the UN Women’s Rights Commission, even though it’s a regime that beats, blinds, poisons, rapes, and tortures women for the crime of standing up for their human rights. The United Nations elected the Islamic Republic of Iran to be president of the UN Human Rights Council Social Forum just over a year ago.
So the UN is not going to be the savior on this. It’s going to have to be democratic countries-the U.S., the EU, the UK-taking the lead, imposing maximum pressure to finally hold this regime to account.
Anna Kooiman, NewsNation: And President Trump has proposed that the United States take over the Gaza Strip and transform it into a Riviera of the Middle East. What could this mean for the region, and would any plan like this actually comply with international law?
Hillel Neuer: Well, look, the important thing is for the people of Gaza and the people of Israel-how can their lives be more peaceful? That’s what we all should be talking about. The people of Gaza are the only people who have their own regime that is sacrificing their lives with no concern whatsoever for their own well-being.
Hamas leaders said they’re willing to sacrifice hundreds of thousands of their own people for their war to destroy Israel. When the war began-keep in mind when there was war in Ukraine, war in Syria, other places-millions were able to flee. Sadly for Gaza, Egypt locked the border, wouldn’t let them flee. Gazans should have the right to leave if they want to.
But at the end of the day, President Trump is right when he says it could be a Riviera. I’ve been to the Gaza Strip. It has beautiful beaches, beautiful white dunes. And, you know, the Arab Emirates showed you could build up to the future-skyscrapers for progress. Hamas only wants to build down-terror tunnels, hundreds of miles of terror tunnels. We need a better future for the people of Gaza.
Anna Kooiman, NewsNation: Yeah, it’s tragic, what’s happening there. Hillel Neuer, thank you so much for joining us. Please come back again.
Hillel Neuer: Thank you.
