Israel Won't Withstand War in Wake of Strike on Iran, ex-Mossad Chief Says

Speaking at Tel Aviv conference, Meir Dagan says use of force should be Israel's last option, adding that the IDF could not stop Tehran's nuclear program, only delay it. By Gili Cohen Tags: Iran nuclear IDF Mossad

Israel would not withstand a regional conflict ignited by an Israeli strike of Iran's nuclear facilities, former Mossad chief Meir Dagan said on Wednesday, adding that Israel did not have the capability to stop Tehran's nuclear ambitions, just to delay them.

In his first public appearance since leaving the post in September, Dagan said earlier this month that the possibility a future Israel Air Force attack on Iranian nuclear facilities was "the stupidest thing I have ever heard."

Speaking during a conference in Tel Aviv on Wednesday, Dagan continued his public rejection of a military move against Iran, saying that Israel didn't "have the capability to stop the Iranian nuclear program, only to delay it."

"If anyone seriously considers [a strike] he needs to understand that he's dragging Israel into a regional war that it would not know how to get out of. The security challenge would become unbearable," Dagan said.

The former Mossad chief reiterated his position, saying that the "military option is the last alternative, not preferred or possible, but a last resort. Every other alternative must be weighed before the use of force."

Referring to those who criticized him for speaking out on these matters soon after his retirement, Dagan said: "I feel obligated to express my opinion on certain matters. The prime minister and defense minister are the ones in charge, but sometimes good sense and a good decision don't have anything to do with being elected."

Replying “in multiple”, since you all took umbrage at my post...

Believe me when I tell you there is nothing more I would like to see than to watch Israel reduce a good part of the Islamic world to ashes if she were to be attacked.

But having said that, I don’t believe she will.

No one else in the world defends their own territory better than do the Israelis. I speak this as an American, and they do it better than the Americans (heck, look at our southern border vis-a-vis the Israel/Gaza border and the security walls they’ve built — why don’t we have that here?). Here on FR we brag about “being the best”, but I wouldn’t want to put a cohort of American troops against an equal number of Israelis — and predict the outcome.

But that’s different than attacking another country and killing civilians.
I don’t believe the “Jewish consciousness” will permit them to do that.
Inner guilt will “get them”.

Mind you, _I_ have no problems with attacking other countries and killing their civilians, but I’m not Jewish. I personally have no regrets about “a Hiroshima” or “a Nagasaki”. Back in 2001, I was one of the first here on FR to advocate the destruction of Mecca and Medina as “symbolic retaliation” for the World Trade Center attacks. I still believe that, some day, that will become the climax of the Christian/Islamic struggle.

But Israel will never “do a Hiroshima”. Something intangible that’s “inside her people” will hold her back.

As I concluded with my original post, it’s speculation on my part. If your dander was raised, so be it — I intended for the posting to be “on the incendiary side” of argument. But I stand by it as a matter of reason and realism.

As one of The West, I want Israel to win and Islam to disappear. That’s as clearly-worded as I can say it. But I also can see that — long term — the odds are against her.

Then again, I’ve read Joel Rosenberg’s books!

“If Israel has to fight another major war for its survival they need to grab control of a large percentage of that oil.”

Never going to happen. Even at her most hawkish, Israel was too conscious of taking another nations assets. They returned everything of economic value, including the Temple Mount which is controlled by the Islamic Waqf. Taking oil would be seen as a provocation so extreme, it would insure Israel’s removal from the map.

Israel is close to finding their own oil though, using biblical guidance (no, really) to locate it. As mentioned by Bibi, Israel is also leading the way in energy alternatives that will bankrupt the Arab nations, or at least shift the power in Israel’s favor.

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.