Netanyahu: US must guarantee Israel's safety from Iraqi attack

Jerusalem Post ^ | 9/13/02 | JANINE ZACHARIA

[Ranger]

WASHINGTON The US has a responsibility to ensure Israelis are protected against weapons of mass destruction before it decides to launch a military offensive to oust Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, former prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu said Thursday.

"A central component of any strike on Iraq must be to ensure that the Israeli government, if it so chooses, has the means to vaccinate every citizen of Israel before action is initiated," Netanyahu told the House Government Reform Committee.

"Ensuring this is not merely the responsibility of the government of Israel, but also the responsibility of the government of the United States."

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's inner cabinet decided last month to vaccinate 15,000 first responders for smallpox but has postponed a decision on any wider vaccination plan.

Netanyahu, who is expected to challenge Sharon for control of the Likud, said the "overwhelming majority" of Israelis support a preemptive strike against Saddam even though they will be the target of any Iraqi retaliation.

In an indictment of opponents to a US-led preemptive attack on Iraq, he said, "We support this preemptive action even though we stand on the front line, while others criticize it as they sit comfortably on the sidelines."

Netanyahu echoed many of the indictments of Saddam aired by President George W. Bush at the UN and stressed above all the dangers posed by a nuclear-armed Saddam.

"A nuclear-armed Saddam will place the security of our entire world at risk. Make no mistake about it. Once Saddam has nuclear weapons, the terror network will have nuclear weapons. And once the terror network has nuclear weapons, it is only a matter of time before those weapons will be used," he said.

Netanyahu added that "even free and unfettered inspections will not uncover" Saddam's "portable manufacturing sites of mass death."

He said that while Iran is "outpacing Iraq" in its development of weapons of mass destruction, regime change in Iran may be possible without outside interference, especially once Saddam is removed from power.

He also warned, as he has repeatedly in the past, that Saddam could use "terror proxies" to spread weapons of mass destruction in the US.

[johniegrad]

"We support this preemptive action even though we stand on the front line, while others criticize it as they sit comfortably on the sidelines."

[marron]

There is no way the US can guarantee Israel's safety.

Far from it. We are counting on Israel to watch our back, and enter the fight should any other country attack us. Specifically, Syria.

[gcruse]

Seeing as to how Israel has real dogs in that fight, and also a goodly supply of WMDs herself, a pre-emptive strike on Israel's part makes a lot more sense than one on ours.

[feedback doctor]

Saw Bibi on C-Span today. What a great Man!!!!!!! One congresswoman (D-Watson CA I think) tried to really get him but he was such a gentleman, and his answers to her leading questions did not lead to where she wanted them. If it replays try to watch it. Also, Chris Shays had some good things to say. Said that when he was a state Rep he was critical of the 1981 Israeli bombing of the Iraqi nuclear reactor. He said when he was briefed on National Security matters in 1987 after going to congress he had to ask why we (the US) did not get down on our knees and thank Israel for what it ha done!!!!

Blessed be the God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob.

May Israel dwell in Peace!

[MinuteGal]

I watched Benjamin's appearance before the congressional committee on C-Span today. I hope they rebroadcast it tonight so that every freeper can watch it. Talk about true conservatism!

Fox and CNN started to televise it, then cut him off after a few minutes to go to more important personalities elsewhere, like Sen. Biden.

I sat fascinated while Mr. Netanayhu made the best case on Iraq I've ever heard. His arguments and logic were right on the button. I urge every reader here to tune in if it's replayed or find a transcript. You'll thank me forever. It was absolutely riveting!

Leni

[Mr. Mojo]

Seeing as to how Israel has real dogs in that fight, and also a goodly supply of WMDs herself, a pre-emptive strike on Israel's part makes a lot more sense than one on ours.

It would if it weren't for the fact that the whole of the Islamic world would be in such an uproar over such an action [by the Israelis], that not only could it destroy any chances we had at securing bases and other strategic advantages, but it would very well initiate gov't coups by radical groups all over the region. Best that we take care of the Iraqi problem ourselves, and Israel can then respond if (or most likely when) they're attacked......but not before.

[onedoug]

What, we're supposed to supply the vaccines? And how about the the so-called palestinians? Them too?

Sorry. This seems a little weird to me. And vaccines aren't going to protect against radioactivity. But I think Netanyahu may need to be vaccinated against something.

[MissAmericanPie]

I support an Israeli pre-emptive strike against Iraq. They can soften up the target with Neutron weapons and we can do the clean up. Everyone should keep their eye on Syria.

[gcruse]

 Israel can then respond if (or most likely when) they're attacked......but not before.

This looks awfully like what the administration
took as Israel policy the first six months after
9/11.  Israel was supposed to take a pounding
from the PA without retaliating while we
retaliated for the WTC bombings.  Why
should Israel have to wait for an attack
when our government won't wait for
Saddam to attack the US?  And Hussein
attacking the US is a lot less likely than
him attacking Israel, logistics-wise.

[Mr. Mojo]

I think if Israel was even remotely suspicious that Iraq would launch WMDs on her before we become engaged over there [in Iraq], then they'd launch pre-emptive strikes in a heartbeat (as well they should). I just don't think Saddam would resort to such measures - basically suicide - until he knew he was a goner. And I'm fairly certain that Scheming Saddam still believes he has a few cards left to play to preserve his.....miserable life.

Fortunately, Israel's ABM capabilities against MRBMs is light years advanced from even our own (Patriots) a decade ago, and it's conceivable that every Scud Iraq launches will be intercepted.

[Mr. Mojo]

launches will be intercepted = launched would be intercepted

[sobieski]

It seems more likely that Iraq is trying to get WMD to create a deterrent to its enemy Israel, which already has them.

[Dakmar]

It seems from todays speech President Bush is trying to get UN support. He reminds me of his father during the Gulf War, trying to keep the coalition together by keeping Israel out of the war. That seems like a reasonable philosphy, along with Israels right to defend itself.

[Principled]

Syria... attack us? Where? How?

[gcruse]

It sounds like Israel's ABM capabilities are pretty solid. That is good news.

[Mr. Mojo]

Israel is certainly Iraq's enemy, but it's the United States that has been in a hot/cold war with Saddam's regime for more than a decade. So don't think that Hussein's WMDs are targeted only for Israel. As long as that madman remains alive, WE remain among his top 2 targets. ...and that's precisely why we should (and will) take him out and destroy his nation's WMD capabilities.

[gcruse]

I agree. I think our actions against Iraq need to have the participation of a lot more than just our British friends.

[sangoo]

Everyone should keep their eye on Syria.

Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap (Isa 17:1 KJV) ......Perhaps this applies

[Dinsdale]

Guarantees?

Death and taxes.