( CNN ) -- The United States and Israel are on the same side when it comes to Iran , but you might not know it watching the bitter public disagreement that has broken out between the two allies over negotiations with the Islamic Republic . Is this a way for friends to handle their differences ? The talks with Iran present enormous challenges for Washington . One of those challenges is to move through the process without damaging existing alliances or weakening America 's already diminished standing in the Middle East . Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned that he thinks the U.S. is falling into an Iranian trap . The White House says it is moving cautiously in the interest of peace and security . The disagreement is tearing at the alliance . Both Israel and the U.S. should find a different way to make their cases . They have moved perilously close to impugning each other 's character instead of debating the merits of their positions . Netanyahu strongly objects to the proposal that would ease sanctions in exchange for a slowdown of Iran 's nuclear program during negotiations for a permanent agreement . He is used to wielding sharp words . His tone has suggested U.S. President Barack Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry are being played for fools . When talks broke off a few weeks ago , Netanyahu sarcastically called the agreement that was almost reached between Iran and the so-called P5+1 , the U.N. Security Council permanent members plus Germany , `` the deal of the century '' -- for Iran . France , too , another U.S. ally , called the proposal `` a sucker 's deal . '' But it 's not just critics of the Obama administration position who have come perilously close to insulting those with whom they disagree . White House spokesman Jay Carney responded to criticism and to calls for new sanctions by saying `` the American people do not want a march to war , '' as if those who do n't like this agreement actually want a war . The notion that Netanyahu , that Israelis , want war with Iran is patently absurd . Some may think a war is unavoidable , but everyone in Israeli knows war with Iran would bring unspeakable suffering . In Israel , the issue is personal for every family that lives within rocket range of Iran -- every family . Many Israelis dislike Netanyahu 's style , but they share his concern . Today , only 31 % of Israelis think Israel can rely on the U.S. on talks with Iran . What Israel wants is a strong deal , one that truly prevents Iran from having the ability to quickly build a nuclear weapon when it chooses . That , incidentally , is what America 's Arab friends also want , creating an unlikely alignment of interests between Israelis and Arabs . Instead of `` dissing '' each other and engaging in acrimonious debate that brings satisfaction to their enemies , Israel and the U.S. should concentrate on the substance of their disagreement . Both Israel and the U.S. -- not to mention France , Saudi Arabia , the United Arab Emirates , and others -- want to bring an end to what they believe is Iran 's nuclear weapons program . Iran says it only wants nuclear power , but even U.N. weapons inspectors say there are indications of a military aspect to Iran 's nuclear program . Israel and the U.S. , of course , have different perspectives . They differ on tactics , strategy , and to some degree on goals . The U.S. is physically distant from Iran and it has a stronger military . Israel wants Iran to end all nuclear enrichment . The U.S. is apparently willing to allow some enrichment and stockpiles . America sees Iran and its nuclear program as a challenge to global stability , to the regional balance of power , to nuclear nonproliferation . Israelis believe Iran aims to destroy their country . On Wednesday , as talks restarted in Geneva , Iran 's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei gave a televised speech in which he called Israel the `` rabid dog '' of the Middle East and declared that Israel `` is doomed to failure and annihilation . '' That kind of language , and a nuclear program , a wave of terrorist attacks , and the funding of anti-Israel militias , such as Hezbollah , add up to a pretty good case for Israelis to worry . Their concerns are echoed by many members of Congress , who also question the strength of the current negotiating approach . All want to see a deal , but only a good deal . All of them , lest we forget , are on the same side . Israel , along with France and many members of Congress , believes relief from sanctions should come only if Iran completely stops getting closer to a nuclear weapon . They worry that once world powers start rolling back sanctions , even slightly , the entire system will start unraveling . The Obama administration says the interim deal would `` put time on the clock . '' But Obama too said he wants to make `` absolutely certain '' the Iranians are not `` busy advancing their program '' during talks . On the surface , Obama and Netanyahu are saying much the same thing . It 's no simple task , but if a deal can be made that convinces everyone Iran is not within reach of a bomb , that would satisfy America , Israel , America 's Arab friends and -- if Tehran is telling the truth -- it should meet Iran 's goals . We do n't know the exact terms under discussion in Geneva , Switzerland , but some reports give reasons for concern . One element under discussion , for example , would reportedly allow continuing construction of the Arak plutonium facility , with a promise from Iran to delay operating it for six months ; far from ideal . It is also unclear what would happen with the Parchin site , where U.N. inspectors suspect Iran is working on ways to develop military components to weaponize its nuclear materials . Instead of disparaging the administration 's negotiating skills , Netanyahu , as a friend of the U.S. , should raise questions about these issues . And instead of disparaging the motives of Netanyahu and other critics , the Obama administration should respond to the specific claims . Ironically , Israel 's strong objections strengthen the West 's negotiating position . It is Iran that should explain why it will not allow inspectors into Parchin and why it needs to build a plutonium reactor . Countries make alliances because they are stronger together . Israel and the U.S. need to defend their alliance as they work together to stop Iran 's nuclear program . Anything else will only strengthen their enemies . The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Frida Ghitis .
Netanyahu : U.S. , Israel on same side on Israel but are at bitter odds on nuclear negotiations . She says Frida Ghitis says U.S. falling into trap ; Obama says U.S. trying for peace , security . She says Israel has legitimate existential concerns over nukes in Iran , wants strong deal . Ghitis : Lest they strengthen their enemies , Iran , U.S. need to defend their alliance .