Israel Nuke Comment Sparks Controversy (Olmert screws up yet again)

AP ^ | Dec 12 | MATTI FRIEDMAN

[tlb]

JERUSALEM (AP) - A slip of the tongue by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert about Israel's nuclear policy ballooned into a domestic crisis Tuesday for the Israeli leader, who came under criticism from across the political spectrum.

In an interview with a German television station broadcast Monday, Olmert appeared to list Israel among the world's nuclear powers, violating the country's long-standing policy of not officially acknowledging that it has atomic weapons.

"Iran openly, explicitly and publicly threatens to wipe Israel off the map," Olmert said. "Can you say that this is the same level, when you are aspiring to have nuclear weapons, as America, France, Israel, Russia?"

In a front-page editorial, the daily Haaretz slammed Olmert, who it said "preferred to forget that he was prime minister, not another commentator" or minor politician.

Yossi Beilin, head of the dovish Meretz party, criticized what he termed Olmert's "carelessness." Together with Olmert's perceived failures of leadership during the Lebanon war, Beilin said, "it might be an indication that he isn't fit to serve as prime minister."

Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom, of the hard-line Likud, another opposition party, said the comment could hurt Israel's attempt to get the international community to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.

Shalom said Olmert "gave tools" to Israel's enemies, allowing them to say, "Why are you dealing only with Iran while Israel is confirming that it has the same kind of weapons?"

[tlb]

I was certain he would have been kicked out of office by now for losing the war with Hizballah. Maybe this will help expedite matters.

[misterrob]

Hey, the world powers seem disinclined to stop Iran. He's merely reminding people of the fact that Israel has tha ability to take care of business themselves.

Notice the uproar about his comments and the lack of comments about the crap Iran puts out.

[zarf]

Well, Israel deserves this idiot. Short of Tel Aviv being incinerated, is there anything that will wake the Israeli's up?

[WhistlingPastTheGraveyard]

"Why are you dealing only with Iran while Israel is confirming that it has the same kind of weapons?"

Because, unlike Israel, Iran is in the control of genocidal, apocalyptic psychopaths. It isn't that complicated.

[chilepepper]

In a front-page editorial, the daily Haaretz slammed Olmert, who it said "preferred to forget that he was prime minister, not another commentator" or minor politician.

actually, "minor politician" sums up Olmert perfectly

[liberty or death]

Biblical history shows they are highly successful and brilliantly self destructive.

So my answer to your question is No.

[Coachm]

Good points!

[Issaquahking]

Agreed. Israel has helped prevent half-witts from having nukes since June 7th, 1981. Remember this?...


On the afternoon of June 7, 1981, Jordan's King Hussein, yachting in the Gulf of Aqaba, saw eight low-flying Israeli F-16s roar eastward. He called military headquarters in Amman for information, but got none. The aircraft had flown below Jordanian radar. So far, so good for Ivry's mission, code-named Opera.


So everyone has always figured that they had at least a 100 tucked away. Call it insurance, for making arrangements, so that whack jobs can meet Allah anytime, if they ever get too stupid in any one region.

Israel know's Atilla the Hun's first rule of war - "Nobody ever got their a$$ kicked for being too strong."


Hey, if the guys on your tagline run, Let me know, will be the first to contribute!

[Uncledave]

It was a botched joke

[crazycat]

The man is a total fool, that just keeps giveing. Hopefully this will be the straw that breaks him.

[JewishRighter]

Here is a pic that gives you a good idea of the profound depth of this man's stupidity: