According to a report from Israeli TV, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a series of meetings over the past few weeks with his top military and intelligence officials on the possibility of attacking Iran.
Israel’s Channel 12 reported that Netanyahu held five meetings with his defense minister, the military intelligence chief, the head of the Israeli Defense Forces, the head of the Mossad spy agency, and other top brass to discuss preparing for possible attacks on Iran.
According to The Times of Israel, the Channel 12 report didn’t attribute a source and didn’t offer much detail about the meetings. The Times said it might have been “designed to telegraph the seriousness of Israeli threats to resort to military action” against Iran’s nuclear program.
Israeli and US officials are constantly threatening Iran over its nuclear program even though the Pentagon acknowledged in its recent Nuclear Posture Review that Tehran is not trying to build a nuclear weapon.
The Channel 12 report said that the result of Netanyahu’s meetings was that the officials decided Israel would act alone against Iran if the US didn’t, something Israeli officials have said publicly.
“If the United States does not establish a credible military threat immediately, either Israel will attack, or Iran will have a nuclear weapon, which we will not allow under any circumstance,” Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen said Tuesday.
Netanyahu made similar comments the same day. “The only thing that has credibly stopped rogue nations from developing nuclear weapons is a credible military threat or a credible military action. You can couple that with crippling economic sanctions, but that’s not a sufficient condition. A necessary condition — and an often sufficient condition — is credible military action,” he said.
The Channel 12 report and the hawkish comments from Israeli officials came after the US ambassador to Israel, Toms Nides, said Israel can “do whatever they need” against Iran and that the US has “got their back.”
An Israeli attack will silence any dissidence voice against the mullahs internally and unify the country against a common enemy.
It will also drag the superpowers into this conflict indirectly not to mention disrupt oil and natural gas shipment to Israel and other parts of the world. Short of launching their nukes, Israel will have to prepare to take additional punches that they clearly have no stamina as this won’t be a one off if that’s what they have in mind.
I hope they have thought about the aftermath of their action.
Just what the world needs in this time of trouble,danger, another war in the Mid East this time not caused by the US but with the agreement of our leaders and executed by Israel.These people are nuts. The world is slowly being divided into two camps.l The outcome will be everyone on the Planet loses or dies.
I am coming to believe that there is very little distance between US policy and Israeli policy. They seem to share a lot in messianic megalomania. I have long viewed Israel as a US proxy in the Middle East, but the influence flows in both directions; the worldview of Zionist Israel is very congruent with the worldview of US Neoconservatives.
And Christian fascists.
The fools that haven’t learned from history. The consequences of avoiding confronting evil is a much more painful long war (Chamberlain). As with nuclear weapons development in Iraq and Syria it is left up to the Israelis to do the dirty work of the weak, cowardly world.
Indeed, evil must be confronted, lest it fester. I mean, consider the obvious evil of apartheid here: the world has tolerated it all these years and Israel has gotten more and more dangerous and nasty.
Really-Palestinians kill Israelis,so Israelis exclude them from their vicinity-sounds like self defense to me.
If I’m stepping on a man’s neck and stopping his breathing, I have no cause for complaint if he sticks a knife in my foot.
One man, one vote in historic Palestine …
Yep take their land kill their children and how dare they fight back!!!
The Arab world took the homes away from the Jewish people who had lived there for 2000 years, Arab terrorists had no problem killing Israeli children
Yeah keep bringing fairy-tale from thousand years ago to justify present day killings
Except that the Israelis insist on including themselves in the Palestinian Arabs’ vicinity instead of staying inside their borders.
?????
Confronting “evil”…oh, you must mean confronting IsraHell.
I truly believe we are living in a simulation on loop.
… so it’s likely a diversion … from something more in the neighborhood … Hezbollah, Gaza, Syria ??
I’m afraid not. Attack on Syria won’t cut it because Syria is a toothless state. 2006 was a rough lesson in Lebanon. They‘ll need to go straight to the source.
Well, if they had difficulty with Lebanon in ’06 , how could they think to take on Iran?
Times have changed since 2006. Israel has made it much harder to supply weapons to Lebanon.
Israel is throwing tantrums, worried about losing its special place in the hearts of the American elite … after all, Ukraine and Taiwan are the new preferred israels, what with new calculations of strategic areas of the world. The times are passing the ME by.
You are almost right. The world is losing interest in the Palestinians. More Arab and Muslim nations are officially recognizing Israel. Oman just now opened its airspace to israeli flights. Saudi Arabia cooperates with Israel on a number of levels and will likely follow with diplomatic ties. Israel has diplomatic relations with 42 of the 44 Sub-Saharan African states that are not members of the Arab League, including a number of Muslim-majority states. There is a recognition that the Palestinians have resisted many opportunities to make peace and that enabling them is not in the best interests of the other nations of the middle east.
As long as the bribes continue.
Defending the indefensible as always, I see …
It wasn’t the poor Palestinians the world was ever interested in; it was the oil. As the world transitions away from oil over the next decades, the strategic importance of the area, and therefore the value of the western colony established in Palestine to watch and influence the area, are diminishing. Soon, Israel may find that its western backers have much less patience for its problems.
So, yes, it is very smart of Israel to make friends with the neighbors. But in choosing these friends, remember: the permanent nations of the area are Egypt, Turkey, and Iran. All the others are temporary creations of colonialism and will go back to tribalism and city state existence soon. So choose friends wisely!
I was talking mostly about the Arab and Muslim nations. They can see that the Palestinian problems are to a great extent self-inflicted. When the Palestinians supported Saddam Hussein, 400,000 were kicked out of Kuwait. They “never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity”. Egypt is at peace with Israel. Erdogan is resuming warmer relations. Hopefully the mullahs won’t be around for too much longer. The Iranian people have suffered enough under this brutal regime.
No Muslim nation that has any semblance of carrying out people’s will recognize Israel as the street all over the land of ummah against this. Even people who r not Muslim r not bringing Israel into the fold. Recent ejection of Israeli delegation from au conference is proof of that.
Two state solution and dismantling of settler outposts within the post 66 border is the only path to peace and long term prosperity fro israel
Ya. That’s what the very strong peace camp in Israel believed after Oslo…until they offered the Palestinians 95% of the West Bank including sovereignty over the Temple Mount and Gaza, and Arafat responded by blowing up buses and pizza parlours. That’s why most Israelis are now skeptical of a 2 state solution. I was very happy and optimistic after Oslo. Then I was sorely disappointed.
Bull. Have you seen the map?
Arafat is dead. The situation will not change unless and until a 2 state solution is reached. What is done is done. Israel was built on stolen land but now people made a life there and considering what Jewish people went through during the 2nd world War it is way past time to forge a path of reconciliation where state of Israel is recognized as a legitimate state by everyoneby all as long as the state of Palestine is recognized by Israel withing the pre 66 border( not 95 percent not 99 percent but 100 percent with ironclad guarantees for Jewish access to the wall of their destroyed temple).
Wish I could believe it. Here’s the problem:
December 2022 poll by the Ramallah-based Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research (PCPSR) that found only 32% of Palestinians support a two-state solution;
• A July 2022 poll by the Palestinian organization Jerusalem Media & Communication Center (JMCC) that found 26% of Palestinians prefer a two-state solution.
• June 2022 polling data from the Washington Institute for Near East Policy (TWI) that found only 37% of Gazans and 25% of West Bank Palestinians would “definitely accept” or “probably accept” the concept of “two states for two peoples.”
• An August 2021 poll from the Ramallah-based Arab World for Research & Development (AWRD) that found only 36% of Palestinians support a two-state solution.
What’s more, Ohlmert’s peace offer was even more generous. Essentially offered 100% of land (with minor exchanges to account for large existing settlement blocs). Rejected.
What would those numbers be if the Palestinians thought they were going to actually have a state? A real state with the borders A.z. mentioned.
The state of Palestine exists. It is recognized by a majority of UN regimes, is a UN observer state, and is signatory to various UN treaties (including the Rome Statute, which places both it and anyone acting in its territory under the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court).
As for its borders, its UN membership, application specified that it is based on the 1967 borders, rather than demanding that Israel withdraw from other territory outside its legal borders as specified in UNR 181.
The alternatives to a two-state solution based either on Israel’s existing legal borders (as specified in UNR 181) or the 1967 lines are:
1) A one-state solution in which the residents of Gaza and the West Bank are offered full Israeli citizenship rights; or
2) Continuing to try to make apartheid work until it doesn’t work anymore and (1) happens whether the Israeli regime likes it or not.
The two-state solution could have been implemented at any time over the past 55 years (55 YEARS!) unilaterally by Israel by simply complying wiith the terms of the UNSC Resolution passed ordering them to end the 1967 occupied lands. But Israel never did so, did they? All the nonsense with the maps were just delaying tactics while “facts on the ground” were being developed, as they have been.
At any rate, time has passed and I agree with you that the 2-state solution is no longer viable. Too many settlers on the WB. So what we are left with is the only thing that was fair and equitable from the beginning: one state with equal rights for all its citizens, Jewish, Christian, or Moslem (or other). That is what will be the end result sooner or later.
Disagree. The Palestinian people will NEVER have the same rights as the Zios in “one state”.
As for the squatters, send ‘em packin’. They’ve no right to be in Palestinian territory. F*CK ‘em.
Palestinians require their own nation in order that they be able to form their own destinies, not beholden to any Ziomasters.
In one Arab-majority state, the Palestinian Arabs will presumably have at least the same rights as the Palestinian Jews, aka Israelis. That’s how majorities work. And that’s what Israel will eventually get if it’s unwilling to recognize the state of Palestine and withdraw to either its current legal borders (per UNR 181) or new borders negotiated with the state of Palestine and based on the 1967 lines.
Unilateral withdrawal is not a good option. It happened in Gaza and we know the result. I don’t what what the solution will be but it will not be one state. That would be the end of the Jewish state. The whole point of Zionism was to build a secure homeland for the Jewish people.
Who said there had to be “good” options?
Israel ends the occupation outside its borders and recognizes the state of Palestine, or Israel becomes a multi-ethnic rather than specifically Jewish state, or Israel is eventually conquered/destroyed.
Those are the options. Pick one.
Problem is that if Israel withdraws to its 1967 borders,they still fame the emnity of one billion Moslems in a worse strategic position.
Every possible outcome includes problems.
Who said there had to be “good” options?
Israel ends the occupation outside its borders and recognizes the state of Palestine, or Israel becomes a multi-ethnic rather than specifically Jewish state, or Israel is eventually conquered/destroyed.
Those are the options. Pick one.
Who said there had to be “good” options?
Israel ends the occupation outside its borders and recognizes the state of Palestine, or Israel becomes a multi-ethnic rather than specifically Jewish state, or Israel is eventually conquered/destroyed.
Those are the options. Pick one.
Someone actually explained olmert plan in antiwar chat board and that offer didn’t offer Palestinians anything. No state sovereignty, no military, with added benefits of Israel able to infringe on lands controlled by Palestinians at will to chase “terrorists”. I do not know what the barak plan was but since the Israeli peace activist( forgot the name, he meat Arafat and used to write in antiwar) somewhat endorsed it I think that one was a legitimate plan so a peace plan like that one is the needs of the hour. If I was occupied and constantly harassed assaulted
and humiliated I would take a dim view of peace too( majority Israelis don’t believe in the state of Palestine also, no one is calling them names) once there r two viable states living side by side then I m sure Palestinians will abide by the treaty. No two state Israel will always be a apartheid state that denies a people that is under it’s occupation basic rights, and the world at large will view it accordingly.
So, 1948 was a self-inflicted wound?
I would imagine the Zionists have had the nod to use NUKES in Iran , hence the willingness to go it alone .
US Ambassador to Israel, Tom Nides:
“Israel can and should do whatever they need to deal with, and we’ve got their back”
They have no intention “to go it alone”.
Bullies always have back up. Always. Learned that in middle school. Fight one, got to fight others, unless you have your own backup.
“Bullies”-Iran has ten times the population.fifty times the land mass,and started the aggression in the first place.
I believe Iran would have backup.
It’s called “China”.
And it would be a natural occurrence, since IsraHell’s welfare provider is chomping at the bit for war with China anyways.
Good luck with that, Amerikkka and IsraHell!
Folks here on this website don’t call him “Satanyahu” for nothing.
I m stealing that
Netanyahu made similar comments the same day. “The only thing that has credibly stopped rogue nations from developing nuclear weapons is a credible military threat or a credible military action.”
Bibi is right. After all there was no military threat when his own rogue nation developed nuclear weapons.
Israel has not used these weapons-sounds sane and peaceful. “rogue”-in other words,they should lay down and be slaughtered.
Sampson option is just so damn peaceful
Neither has Pakistan or India. By the way, has Israel signed the NPT yet??
Rouge as in assassinating and sabotaging at will. Bombing a sovereign country repeatedly, even when they were recovering from an earthquake. And you’ve recently said they could take out Iran in 30 minutes. So, how exactly are they going to be slaughtered?
When Arafat and the Fedayeen murdered at will at will,Europe idolized them.Ian wiped out a Jewish cultural center in Argentina,and the world is silent.Iran assassinates their own dissidents abroad.Syria is a home for the Hezbollah armies menacinf Israel-bomb them.
Doesn’t make Israel less rouge.
This — if it materializes — is nothing but a US neocon vrazies frenzied need to generate more chaos. Llike a losing general who thinks opening another frint will provide enough diversion.
Since it has been publicly stated that China would defend Iran — this may be a linear, short term thinking Washington is known for,
Bibi needs to consider that he is actually vilnerable. Inside and outside. Inside he is threatening half of the population with “judicial reform”, a joke of a process to take away cinstitutional rights and putvall laws at the mercy of religious nuts that are seeking to disenfranchise mostly population from Soviet Union that is not strictly adhering to religious dogmas, Nethanyahu hated to hear Russian spoken in Knesset.
But once internal divisions start, undetsking external enemy would not unite population. Extrrnally, no Gulf nation would support Israel. Israel is not as secure as it appears.
And in case of trouble, ladt thing US needs is to spend its resources on defending Israel.
Netanyahu better think carefully what he wishes for.
Netanyahu is not the issue.A more sage Israeli leader would still face the Iran problem.
And what exactly is this “Iran problem”.? There are manufactured issues, and plenty of hate. Buy I do see one single evidence of Iran being a threat to Israel. Israel’s antics are legendary. I would like to something of substance.
There is no known real threat to Israel, Not one.
Paper tigering as usual…!
Chutzpah. Threatening to attack a country for not following an agreement that you tore up.
Ok then go act alone and hit Iranian facilities with air strikes. Let’s see ur mettle against people who can fight back.
Blinken + Nuland = Yeah, baby, do it!
“A rogue country”?
WHICH is the rogue country? Hint: it ain’t Iran.
Report: Israel’s Netanyahu Held Meetings With Top Brass on Attacking Israel