Netanyahu thanks US for blocking UN measure

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked Secretary of State John Kerry on Saturday for preventing a U.N. measure that could have forced full disclosure of Israel’s nuclear arms capabilities.

Had the treaty passed, according to The Times of Israel, it would have convened a U.N. conference by March and appointed a special emissary for ensuring the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons in the Middle East.

That official may have forced Israel into revealing its full nuclear abilities.

{mosads}The U.S. rejected the measure late Friday, as did Canada and the U.K.

Netanyahu also reportedly asked that Kerry deliver his gratitude to President Obama for his role in blocking the maneuver, the publication said.

The Israeli leader’s gesture is the latest in a series of tiny thaws in the relationship between Jerusalem and Washington, D.C.

President Obama spoke on Friday at Adas Israel Synagogue, one of Washington, D.C.’s most influential Jewish synagogues.

He said during his remarks that his support for Israel “will always be unshakeable” despite recent tensions.

“For us to paper over difficult questions…that’s not a true measure of friendship,” Obama said.

The two world leaders have disagreed fervently over Obama’s tentative nuclear deal with Iran announced in April.

Obama has argued that diplomacy is the only means of preventing an Iran with atomic weapons.

Netanyahu has countered that Iranian leadership has proven untrustworthy in the past and is dedicated to ending his nations’ existence.

The framework Iran pact would lift economic sanctions on Tehran in exchange for greater restrictions on its nuclear program.

Iran has promised it would accept more frequent atomic inspections and caps on its centrifuge and uranium stockpiles as its part of the bargain.