See also, Analysis: What may be involved in an Israeli strike on Iran
Netanyahu trying to persuade cabinet to support attack on Iran
Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, who previously objected to attacking Iran, was recently persuaded by Netanyahu and Barak to support such a move.
By Zvi Zrahiya, Jonathan Lis, Barak Ravid and Amos Harel
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak are trying to muster a majority in the cabinet in favor of military action against Iran, a senior Israeli official has said. According to the official, there is a “small advantage” in the cabinet for the opponents of such an attack.
Netanyahu and Barak recently persuaded Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, who previously objected to attacking Iran, to support such a move.
Although more than a million Israelis have had to seek shelter during a week of rockets raining down on the south, political leaders have diverted their attention to arguing over a possible war with Iran. Leading ministers were publicly dropping hints on Tuesday that Israeli could attack Iran, although a member of the forum of eight senior ministers said no such decision had been taken.
Senior ministers and diplomats said the International Atomic Energy Agency’s report, due to be released on November 8, will have a decisive effect on the decisions Israel makes.
The commotion regarding Iran was sparked by journalist Nahum Barnea’s column in Yedioth Ahronoth last Friday. Barnea’s concerned tone and his editors’ decision to run the column under the main headline (“Atomic Pressure” ) repositioned the debate on Iran from closed rooms to the media’s front pages.
Reporters could suddenly ask the prime minister and defense minister whether they intend to attack Iran in the near future and the political scene went haywire.
Western intelligence officials agree that Iran is forging ahead with its nuclear program. Intelligence services now say it will take Iran two or three years to get the bomb once it decides to (it hasn’t made the decision yet ).
According to Western experts’ analyses, an attack on Iran in winter is almost impossible, because the thick clouds would obstruct the Israel Air Force’s performance.
Netanyahu did not rule out the possibility of the need for a military action on Iran this week. During his Knesset address on Monday, Netanyahu warned of Iran’s increased power and influence. “One of those regional powers is Iran, which is continuing its efforts to obtain nuclear weapons. A nuclear Iran would constitute a grave threat to the Middle East and the entire world, and of course it is a direct and grave threat on us,” he said.
Barak said Israel should not be intimidated but did not rule out the possibility that Israel would launch a military attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities. “I object to intimidation and saying Israel could be destroyed by Iran,” he said.
“We’re not hiding our thoughts. However there are issues we don’t discuss in public … We have to act in every way possible and no options should be taken off the table … I believe diplomatic pressure and sanctions must be brought to bear against Iran,” he said.
Strategic Affairs Minister Moshe Ya’alon said he preferred an American military attack on Iran to an Israeli one. “A military move is the last resort,” he said.
Interior Minister Eli Yishai has not made his mind up yet on the issue. In a speech to Shas activists in the north on Monday Yishai said “this is a complicated time and it’s better not to talk about how complicated it is. This possible action is keeping me awake at night. Imagine we’re [attacked] from the north, south and center. They have short-range and long-range missiles – we believe they have about 100,000 rockets and missiles.”
Intelligence and Atomic Energy Minister Dan Meridor said he supports an American move against Iran. In an interview to the Walla! website some two weeks ago Meridor said “It’s clear to all that a nuclear Iran is a grave danger and the whole world, led by the United States, must make constant efforts to stop Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. The Iranians already have more than four tons of 3-4 percent enriched uranium and 70 kgs. of 20 percent enriched uranium. It’s clear to us they are continuing to make missiles. Iran’s nuclearization is not only a threat to Israel but to several other Western states, and the international interest must unite here.”
Former Defense Minister Benjamin Ben-Eliezer said he feared a “horror scenario” in which Netanyahu and Barak decide to attack Iran. He warned of a “rash act” and said he hoped “common sense will prevail.”
On Tuesday, Barak said at the Knesset’s Finance Committee that the state budget must be increased by NIS 7-8 a year for five years to fulfill Israel’s security needs and answer the social protest. “The situation requires expanding the budget to enable us to act in a responsible way regarding the defense budget considering the challenges, as well as fulfill some of the demands coming from the Trajtenberg committee,” he said.
Ever so spunky. The Yonatan we all know and love.
EMP delivered over Iran. Iran crippled. Deal with Hizbullah, Syria, Gaza as necessary – one last time. The rest of the world can be happy or pound sand. I don’t care which.
If not for this scenario, then when? Its hard to think of something beyond this that would push his buttons.
i can say Amen to that
Does Israel have the capacity to deliver a blitzkreig blow to cripple Iran? Many say no. Israel would see retaliation from Iran, Hamas, Hezbollah and likely other Arab nations. The toll on Israel would be enormous.
Iran is strong militarily, but weak economically.
The best option still is for America and the West to deliver crippling choking economic sanctions that will leave Iran in economic chaos.
Barring such action, Israel may well be left with no choice, but to attack if Ahmadinejad and the Iranian mullocracy either build or buy nuclear weapons and decide that if they do not act, they may lose their chance at an Islamic apocalyptic war to erase Israel and Jews to hasten the return of the 12th imam or mahdi and thus realize the Islamic manifest destiny that Islam will rule the world.
The Iranian mullocracy is not like leaders of Western nations .
Iranian leaders are not concerned for the welfare of their people or the lives of others. They are prepared to sacrifice as many of their own people and others as is necessary to force their Islamic prophecy out of the dream world and into the real world.
The US is pushing for an attack on Iran and soon, not because they care about Israel or even the Middle East, but because after Obama retreats from Iraq and Afghanistan the Americans don’t want to see Iran move in and take over.
The US believes that a punitive strike on Iran right now or soon will send that message loud and clear.
best song ever-shir lamaalot IDF
We Will Not Be Uprooted!!!
ana b’koach
yeah, do it now!
and include the CNN HQ to hit Zakaria and AC at the same time.
I am serious. Go Genghis. NOW.
As Dirty Harry was told, if you’re going to shoot, shoot!!!
“Barking Dogs Never Bite”
“Several months ago, the newly retired head of the Mossad, Meir Dagan, caused a stir by warning publicly against attacking Iran, saying a strike would be “stupid” and would risk unleashing a region-wide war.”
— JOSEF FEDERMAN (AP)
(1) A region-wide war is preferable to being a sitting duck when Iran decides to “test fire” nuclear-armed missles, using Tel Aviv as a target.
(2) A region-wide war is inevitable, with Turkey leading the charge. Turkey has already declared that Israel has committed a cassus belli, has publicly proclaimed its intent of firing on Israeli ships in the Mediterranean, and has massed troops along its southern border. Turkey can attack any time it wants to, just as it invaded Cyprus a few years ago. If attacked by Turkey, furthermore, Syria has announced that it will “retalliate” by attacking Israel. With the Iranians already deploying warships off Israeli shores, it would be foolish for Israel to wait for a scenario where Egypt, Turkey, Syria and Iran all attack Israel on cue. It would be wiser to attack Iran while Egypt is in confusion, and Turkey isn’t ready.
Up until now, the US has stood between Israel and Iran. After the Americans quit Iraq at the end of this year, that impediment will be removed. Israel would not attack Iran without first informing the Americans, in which case the US and Gulf allies would have to brace for an Iranian assault. If Israel is serious about attacking Iran, then, a telltale sign would be increased American defensive preparations in the Persian Gulf. These could be masked to some degree as measures accompanying US withdrawal from Iraq.
Sanctions have not and will not work;
“Attack from the north, south and center”. “short-range and long-range missiles about 100,000 rockets and missiles” pale in comparison to nuclear holocaust;
The U.S.A. will not act against Iran;
Iran is ideologically committed to utilizing the bomb to “wipe Israel off the map” and has made and is willing to make any sacrifice required;
““horror scenario” “rash act” “common sense will prevail.” The common sense that MUST prevail is to take out Iran’s nuclear capability before it is too late.
Prior to WWII, the English rolled over on Austria. They rolled over on Sudetanland. They rolled over on the whole of Czechoslovakia. They drew a line in the sand over Poland. Lets hope Bibi has a line in the sand over Iranian nukes.
I’ll believe it when I see it.