Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stunned many on Wednesday evening with a now-deleted tweet.
Netanyahu was discussing the goals of discussions between Israel and other Arab countries at a summit in Warsaw, Poland organized by the United States. Through a mixup in translation, the Prime Minister was quoted by his office as deeming war with Iran a "common goal."
The tweet said:
"What is important about this meeting – and it is not in secret, because there are many of those – is that this is an open meeting with representatives of leading Arab countries, that are sitting down together with Israel in order to advance the common interest of war with Iran."
The tweet was later replaced with "combating Iran."
What is important about this meeting – and it is not in secret, because there are many of those – is that this is a… https://t.co/FenyxmXxRN— PM of Israel (@PM of Israel) 1550084909.0
But it was too late.
@IsraeliPM Why did you delete the tweet that openly said you want to start a war with Iran?— Stefanie Iris Weiss 🔥 (@Stefanie Iris Weiss 🔥) 1550084953.0
@IsraeliPM Oh yes, "combating Iran" is much better and less antagonistic than "war with Iran"...— Pé Resists (@Pé Resists) 1550085085.0
@IsraeliPM Aren’t screen grabs the best! 👏🏻👏🏻 https://t.co/wN1wLCb4wq— HRCFanGal (@HRCFanGal) 1550085553.0
The Foreign Minister of Iran, Javad Zarif, responded as well.
We've always known Netanyahu's illusions. Now, the world - and those attending #WarsawCircus - know, too https://t.co/0TSDzIak9e— Javad Zarif (@Javad Zarif) 1550085434.0
The tweet could not come at a more delicate time for Iran's relationship with the rest of the world.
A summit in Warsaw and the impending anniversary of the Iranian Revolution have been used by Netanyahu and United States President Donald Trump to mobilize other world leaders against the current Iranian government.
Many people across a number of nations, however, would rather work toward preserving peace.
@IsraeliPM You better combat yourself. Don't pull Poland to Israel's wars. There will be no agree of Polish people… https://t.co/hEpVcFftgk— JAREK 🇵🇱🇺🇸 (@JAREK 🇵🇱🇺🇸) 1550117500.0
@IsraeliPM Goal of war is illegal under the Kellogg Briand Pact? The Kellogg–Briand Pact is a 1928 international a… https://t.co/Tl7qFbxxgu— Jon Stewart (@Jon Stewart) 1550095981.0
@MidWestMet @IsraeliPM How much will this "combat" cost in US blood?— Darren Page (ダレン✩゛) (@Darren Page (ダレン✩゛)) 1550086226.0
Netanyahu's tweet has sown more instability in an already tempestuous time.