The networks on Monday night and Tuesday morning minimized Barack Obama's casual dismissal of the idea that any nuclear deal with Iran include an acknowledgment of Israel's right to exist. On Good Morning America, Amy Robach quickly touted the President's rejection: "[Obama] is not buying Israel's latest demand concerning the nuclear deal with Iran. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says any nuclear deal must require Iran to recognize Israel."
Citing an interview with NPR, CBS This Morning co-host Norah O'Donnell parroted, "President Obama said that is unrealistic to expect Iran to suddenly transform its regime and recognize Israel. He calls it a fundamental misjudgment."
On Monday night, ABC's World News didn't bother covering Obama's dismissal of Netanyahu's concerns. NBC Nightly News co-anchor Lester Holt allowed a sentence as part of a longer story: "In an interview late today, President Obama said it would be a 'fundamental misjudgment' to try and force Iran to recognize Israel as part of a nuclear deal."
The CBS Evening News offered a brief 55 seconds on the topic. Major Garrett explained:
MAJOR GARRETT: Jeff, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu opposes the emerging nuclear deal with Iran for many reasons and has said, at minimum, the regime in Tehran should be required to reverse long-standing policy and publicly recognize Israel's right to exist. For the first time, President Obama rejected that idea, telling National Public Radio demanding recognition is, quote, "akin to saying we won't sign a deal unless the nature of the Iranian regime completely transforms."
Transcripts of the April 7 morning show briefs are below:
GMA
4/7/15
7:15:04 to 7:15:20
16 secondsAMY ROBACH: President Obama is not buying Israel's latest demand concerning the nuclear deal with Iran. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says any nuclear deal must require Iran to recognize Israel. But President Obama tells NPR linking the two issues would be a, quote, "fundamental misjudgment."
CBS TM
4/7/15
7:10:04 to 7:10:27
23 secondsNORAH O'DONNELL: This morning, President Obama is rejecting a demand by Israel over the nuclear deal with Iran. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wants a final nuclear agreement to include Tehran's recognition of Israel's right to exist. But President Obama said that is unrealistic to expect Iran to suddenly transform its regime and recognize Israel. He calls it a fundamental misjudgment.
