Israel Considering Strike On Iran Despite U.S. Intelligence Report

[RestoreGore]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/iran/story/0,,2224052,00.html?gusrc=rss&feed=networkfront

5pm GMT / 12pm ET

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Israel considering strike on Iran despite US intelligence report


Rory McCarthy in Jerusalem
Friday December 7, 2007
Guardian Unlimited


Senior Israeli officials warned today they were still considering the option of a military strike against Iran, despite a fresh US intelligence report that concluded Tehran was no longer developing nuclear weapons.

Although Israel argues that it wants to see strong diplomatic pressure put on Iran, it is reluctant to rule out the threat of a unilateral military attack. Matan Vilnai, Israel's deputy defence minister, told Army Radio today: "No option needs to be off the table."

Avigdor Lieberman, the hard-right deputy prime minister, said Israel should be ready to act if sanctions did not work. "If they don't, we will sit and decide whatever we have to decide," he told the Jerusalem Post in an interview today.

Several of Israel's Iran experts say the American rethink on the threat posed by Iran had ruled out a US military strike and probably an Israeli strike too, at least for now. However, Israel's political hawks continue to keep the threat of action alive.

Binyamin Netanyahu, the popular rightwing opposition leader, was asked whether Israel should launch its own military operation. "We always prefer international action, led by the United States, but we have to ensure that we can protect our country with all means," he told the Israeli newspaper Ha'aretz today.

The repercussions of the new US intelligence assessment are consuming Israeli politicians, analysts and the press. Although Israeli leaders had been briefed in advance, the national intelligence estimate (NIE) which was declassified and published on Monday, brought surprise and frustration in Israel's defence establishment.

end of excerpt.

[RestoreGore]

1. They're going to get their Armageddon one way or another

And even if it is Israel, it will still be us by proxy since all the weaponry was more than likely paid for by American taxpayers.

[gateley]

2. What reason would they cite for attacking Iran? Are they discounting the

NIE and stating that Iran DOES have a nuclear program in the works?

[RestoreGore]

7. Would that surprise you?

[lovuian]

3. Well it looks like they wanted US to lead the way

"We always prefer international action, led by the United States, but we have to ensure that we can protect our country with all means," Netanyhu told the Israeli newspaper Ha'aretz today.



I think this kinda says it all

[Double T]

4. The neocon Israeli government may be its own worst enemy.

The Israeli people, like the American people, must rid themselves of stubborn warmongering neocons.

[RestoreGore]

10. Absolutely

I support the Israeli people but not their government, I doubt very much on the whole that they would condone such a war.

[lovuian]

5. Another Article

http://feeds.bignewsnetwork.com/?sid=307278

Israel's deputy defence minister has told Israeli Army Radio that a military strike on Iran could not be ruled out.

Matan Vilnai said all diplomatic means of pressure should be exhausted to ensure that Iran did not get its hands on a nuclear bomb.

During the interview, Vilnai depicted Iran as Israel's 'greatest enemy'.
more...
Tense times

[bonito]

6. Gee, imagine if Iran was saying this.

[PassingFair]

8. Avigdor Lieberman?

Any relation? The HARD-RIGHT deputy prime minister?

Did you know that Avigdor spelled backwards is:

ROD GIVA?

:rofl:

[RestoreGore]

dupe/nt

[RestoreGore]

dupe/nt

[RestoreGore]

9. Well, since they seem to be playing this "biblically"...

http://www.bibarch.com/ArchaeologicalSites/Megiddo.htm

Just what are we really up against?

[HughMoran]

11. I assume this is sabre rattling

They would lose too much support from allies if they did this now. Israel would be toast without it's allies.