Israel 'Will Not Sit Back' And Let Iran Build Atomic Weapons

The Telegraph (UK) ^ | 1-23-2006 | Tim Butcher

[blam]

Israel 'will not sit back' and let Iran build atomic weapons

By Tim Butcher in Jerusalem
(Filed: 23/01/2006)

Israel issued thinly-veiled warnings yesterday that it was preparing to take direct action to stop Iran, its bitter enemy, acquiring nuclear weapons.

Remarks by Shaul Mofaz, the defence minister, raised the temperature of the worsening international crisis over the Islamic republic's nuclear ambitions and prompted Iran into a swift and strongly-worded response.

The war of words increased the prospect of another pre-emptive strike by Israel similar to that in 1981 when its warplanes destroyed Saddam Hussein's nuclear programme with an attack on the Osirak reactor in Iraq.

Mr Mofaz was reacting to the decision by Iran to restart its uranium enrichment programme earlier this month after a two and a half year moratorium, which prompted European powers to draft a resolution calling for Iran's referral to the UN Security Council.

"We are giving priority at this stage to diplomatic action … but we cannot tolerate a nuclear option for Iran and we must prepare ourselves," Mr Mofaz said. "We must develop the option of our defence with all that implies."

He then issued a rhetorical plea to the Iranian leader.

"You, who are leading your country in an ideology of hatred, terror and anti-Semitism, you had better take a glance at history and see what became of tyrants like you who tried to annihilate the Jewish people," he said.

"They brought only destruction upon their own people."

Mr Mofaz nevertheless added: "Israel's policy is to bring this hot potato to the Security Council to impose sanctions and invasive inspection."

His sentiments were echoed in remarks from Gen Dan Halutz, head of the Israeli armed forces.

Questioned about how Israel's defence establishment was preparing itself for the challenge posed by Iran, Gen Halutz said: "I am not going to deal with the solutions to the Iranian nuclear problem. Israel is not helpless - that is enough of an answer."

Iran offered a swift retort from its foreign ministry spokesman, who said any attack on Iran would be a "fatal mistake". "This is just a childish game by Israel," said Hamid Reza Asefi.

His threats were not limited to Israel. Saying dialogue was the best way to settle the dispute, he issued a harsh warning to European powers to resume talks.

"We advise them [Europe] not to choose any path except dialogue. If there is a retribution to be paid, that will include Europe, too," Mr Asefi said, adding that Iran planned to continue co-operation with the UN.

Relations between Israel and Iran have been hostile since the 1979 Iranian revolution but they worsened considerably last year when the newly-elected Iranian president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, called for Israel to be "wiped off the map".

Israel has had its own nuclear arsenal since the 1980s although details remain a closely guarded secret. Government policy is neither to confirm nor deny the existence of its nuclear capability.

[blam]

I think he just threatened Europe.

[FreeKeys]

Something tells me letting nutcases like the Iranian regime have nukes is not a good idea...

[Meadow Muffin]

If I were a betting man, I would put it all on Israel.

[KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle]

Israel 'will not sit back' and let Iran build atomic weapons

Something to bear in mind, the next time some Buchanan-ite yip-yop drawls, boneheadedly: "... why do we give money to Israel, anyhoo, huh...?"

[mosquewatch.com]

No, they'll just keeping kicking Jews out of there homes, to give to Arab Muslim terrorist.Great, attack Iran, and in your own land, arreste Jews and drive them out of there homes , to further "land for peace". Total idiocy.

Jeff

[ChristianDefender]

Israel is not helpless - that is enough of an answer.

Indeed.

[EagleUSA]

Brings back alot of memories of the late sixties when Israel kicked the Arabs butts all over the map...it could happen again.

[no-to-illegals]

I have no doubt, no doubt, no doubt whatsoever.....

[JLAGRAYFOX]

Israel & USA: This problem is simple to remedy.

- Take out all of Iran's oil producing facilities & refineries
- Take out all known Iranmian Nuclear facilities
- Totally destroy all Syrian armed forces, ground and air.

Use of Israeli and American ground troops is not necessary. The problem is resolved. Let Europe absorb the total cost to repair the Iranian oil facilities. They sat on their hands and did nothing. Russia and China can assist also. With no operating revenue, the governments of Iran and Syria will fall rather rapidly.

[no-to-illegals]

as will fall the western world, if to remove oil supply is win the war....then the war is lost.....like it or not all of our western economies is tied to oil. The Arabs know this and will certainly use this weapon given the opportunity. I prefer not to help the Arabs use the oil weapon, for use of the oil weapon is too easy to remove from the Arab's hands by giving thorough thought to the method of waging the war effort, or should I say democratization and palm greasing.

[Travis McGee]

Sorry for reposting this, but I think it's worth bringing to as many freepers' attention as possible.

Iran has 100s of land-based mobile Silkworm anti-ship cruise missiles, just made to close the straits of Hormuz to shipping, and wreck the world economy in response to an attack.

They also have 100s of mobile SCUD missiles they will fire at the Saudi oil loading terminals. Once this happens, a "state of war" will be declared to exist in the region by the insurance companies, and they will cancel the policies of the shipping lines we depend on to bring the world its oil. Crude-laden tankers will not sail through "missle alley" without insurance.

I just don't want folks to think this will be cheap or easy. Our choice will be very bad or even worse. There will be no easy solution to this coming crisis.

Remember, it is Ahmadinawakjob's stated goal to cause a global economic crash, war, and anarchy, out of which will arise his islamic caliphate. He doesn't need to WIN a war to achieve his goal of wrecking the world economy, he just needs to START a war and disrupt the oil flow from the PG for a few weeks or longer.

Yes, we may have to go in to take out the Iranian nuclear sites. I just want folks to understand that the "Iran problem" may not be solved after an easy 12 hour air campaign. If Ahmadinewakjob has mobile missile crews in hiding all over southern Iran, waiting for many days or weeks to fire at PG shipping, we may see global economic chaos and ruin.

Remember Desert Storm, when we were trying mightily to find and destroy Iraq's mobile SCUDs? We never found or stopped them, the SCUDs were fired on every day of the month of Desert Storm until the end. And the giant SCUDs need to be fueled and raised to vertical before firing. The Iranian Silkworms are smaller, easier to hide and move, and are fired quickly from the horizontal.

[blam]

Yup.

The SPR isn't big enough to carry us through this crisis.

[Thunder90]

Are you sure that you want to give Iran to Russia and China?

[Uncle Miltie]

Iran supplies 5% of the world's oil.

A price shock like last Spring / Summer is tolerable.

Genocide is not.

Bring it on.

[Travis McGee]

See 11 Brad. Iran may provide 5%, but if they cut the Hormuz for weeks or longer, they may be able to wreck the global economy.

[goldstategop]

This the time the Jewish people are not defenseless. This is a big historical change. And the Iranian regime can proceed forward only to its own peril.

(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie. Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")

[Pittsburg Phil]

I'd rather have my tax money.

[Uncle Miltie]

Understood.

Nonetheless, it appears we're inevitably headed that way, so gas up the truck, and let's git 'er done!

[Tzimisce]

"Israel 'Will Not Sit Back' And Let Iran Build Atomic Weapons"

They will if the UN and EU have their way...

[Go Gordon]

If I were a betting man, I would put it all on Israel.

With a pair of satans (the US and Israel) in the hole, I'd go all in. What would the flop bring? A Great Britain of clubs, an Australian of heart and a wild card. Who's the wild card?