Obama: 'Recognizing Israel' Too Much to Ask

JERUSALEM, Israel -- President Barack Obama rejected Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's suggestion that Iran accept Israel's right to exist as part of the emerging nuclear deal, labeling the request a "misjudgment."

Netanyahu had called for a "clear and unambiguous Iranian recognition of Israel's right to exist" as part of any final deal with the Islamic Republic.

"The survival of Israel is non-negotiable," Netanyahu said in response to the framework agreement the president calls a "once in a lifetime" opportunity.

"Just two days ago, Iran said that 'the destruction of Israel is non-negotiable.' And in these fateful days, Iran is accelerating the arming of its terror proxies [Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in the Gaza Strip] to attack Israel," Netanyahu said.

"This deal would legitimize Iran's nuclear program, bolster Iran's economy and increase Iran's aggression and terror throughout the Middle East and beyond," he said.

But Obama said asking Iran to recognize Israel is tantamount to saying "we won't sign a deal unless the nature of the Iranian regime completely transforms."

In a videotaped greeting last month on the celebration of Norwuz, the Persian New Year, Obama called it an historic time for repairing U.S.-Iranian relations.