Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi did not mince words at his Aug. 25 meeting with his British counterpart, Dominic Raab. Speaking at a joint press conference right after the meeting, Ashkenazi called on European states to take concrete actions to curb Iranian aggression. Addressing France, Germany and the United Kingdom particularly, Ashkenazi said, “We were disappointed to see our friends, the E3 countries, not voting to extend the arms embargo on Iran and thus prevent its adoption. The E3 must understand that genuine opposition to Iran aggression and concern for the security of the region cannot be only heard in statements but must be seen in action.’’

Ashkenazi then pointed out that Tehran’s response to the announced normalization between Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was to threaten the UAE with an attack. “For Iran, peace and stability is a bad thing,” he stated.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu — who also met with Raab — conveyed the same message, emphasizing he expects the UK to change its stance on Iran and join the American sanctions against it.

Ashkenazi’s statement on the E3 referred to the Aug. 14 vote at the UN Security Council on extending arms-related restrictions on Iran. At the vote, the United States received only the support of the Dominican Republic. Russia and China voted against, while the other 11 abstained. Thus, the American proposal failed. Israel’s new envoy to the UN, Gilad Erdan, held on Aug. 14 his first meeting as ambassador with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, using the opportunity to thank Washington for this long-shot bid to have the UN reinstate sanctions on Iran.