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Last update - 23:13 17/07/2008 Infrastructure Min. to Iran: Our children feel the same pain yours feel By Barak Ravid, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: nuclear, Iran, Israel Infrastructure Minister Benjamin Ben Eliezer told Iran's foreign minister via Turkish reporters on Thursday that Israel would defend itself against any Iranian attack, adding that threats of violence were futile because the pain felt by Israeli children is no different from the pain Iranian children feel. Speaking to reporters at a press conference in Ankara, Ben Eliezer delivered a message to Iran's Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki, who was scheduled to arrive in the Turkish capital on Friday, saying that Iran was the worst threat facing the world today. The world must stop the double-speak when it comes to Iran, he said. It is inconceivable that the states that threaten Iran during the day will maintain commercial relations with the country at night, Ben Eliezer continued. Advertisement The infrastructure minister went on to say that Iran was a danger to regional stability, especially the stability of Islamic states. The Islamic republic's proximity to achieving nuclear capability, he added, was very alarming, but warned that Israel would surmount any threat. Ben Eliezer stressed that in his view, Iran's nuclear program posed a greater threat to Sunni Muslim states in the Persian Gulf and North Africa than it did to Israel. He said that he believed that even Europe should be more worried about the Iranian threat than Israel. In April, Ben Eliezer vowed to destroy Iran if Israel was attacked, saying "an Iranian attack on Israel will lead to a harsh response that will cause the destruction of the Iranian nation." Iran later condemned Ben Eliezer's threat, calling it "scandalous" and "insulting." In his meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan, Ben Eliezer voiced his gratitude, and Israel's appreciation for Turkey's efforts to establish peace in the region. He thanked the foreign minister for Turkey's push to mediate a peace agreement between Israel and Syria, which he said was of utmost importance. The minister also said that in light of his broad military past, he felt that Israel should have a powerful army to defend it, but that a military solution was not the answer. He encouraged Turkey to continue promoting peace between Israel and Syria, adding that the people of Israel know the price of peace and are ready to pay it as long as the peace is a real one, founded on stability and coexistence. In a briefing to the Turkish press, Ben Eliezer said that Turkey also played a vital role in the peace process between Israel and the Palestinians, including the efforts to secure the return of the captive IDF soldier Gilad Shalit. Related articles: Ben-Eliezer: If Iran attacks Israel, we will destroy it Iran slams Ben-Eliezer's threat of massive counter-strike Turkish FM: Israel, Syria show will for peace, to hold 4th round of indirect talks Bookmark to del.icio.us   Show me the money European Jews would do well to look to U.S. Jews for lessons on renewal. A tale of two mothers Israeli documentary 'To Die in Jerusalem' earns three Emmy nominations.   1.   Iranian attack? What has he been smoking? 23:21  |  Natallie Durson 17/07/08   2.   More empty words by yet another official 00:32  |  Bach Yannut 18/07/08   3.   wishful believing 00:39  |  Axel 18/07/08   4.   Another enemy of Israel 02:12  |  Sal 18/07/08   5.   Dear Axel 02:16  |  Samantha Tilley 18/07/08   6.   Iran and the West 02:28  |  Jim 18/07/08   7.   The Ruler Of Thugs Does Not Care 02:33  |  H. Jolker 18/07/08   8.   The Price of Peace 02:46  |  Jim 18/07/08   9.   #2 Axel 02:58  |  Jim 18/07/08   10.   Jim 03:36  |  Jane 18/07/08   11.   Threat to North Africa? 06:39  |  Benham 18/07/08   12.   It would help if they cared about their children 09:03  |  Margie in Tel Aviv 18/07/08   13.   # 5 samantha 19:34  |  Axel 18/07/08   14.   # 12 margie 19:45  |  Axel 18/07/08

Read & React Samir Kuntar: I'm yearning more than ever to confront Israel Responses: 191 Shalit talks hit impasse as Hamas hangs on to 'asset' Responses: 91 Marco Greenberg: The real story of anti-Semitism in the U.S. Responses: 80 Akiva Eldar: Assad was right - now is not the time for talks Responses: 16 David Landau: Olmert has walked right into Nasrallah's trap Responses: 30 Rosner's Domain Is there a crisis in U.S.-Lebanon relations? (WTR) Do U.S. Jews really support 'necessary compromises' for peace? Why does Israel keep agreeing to prisoner swaps? Talansky threatened to use a bomb - a long time ago (WTR) More Headlines 13:44 Six arrested in Israel for allegedly plotting attack on Bush 18:33 VIDEO: Talansky in court; begs to cut short cross-examination 08:36 Shalit talks deadlocked as Hamas hangs on to 'asset' 19:54 Report: Obama's planned visit to Mideast raises serious security concerns 13:38 Israeli film on mothers of suicide bomber, victim tapped for 3 Emmys 16:50 Teva to buy U.S. drug giant for $7.5B in biggest ever purchase by Israeli company 09:15 This hyphenated life, post two / Jew me down 00:47 Samir Kuntar: I'm yearning more than ever to confront Israel 05:55 ANALYSIS / What does Nasrallah mean by 'defense strategy'? 07:25 Rabbis felt emotional difficulty in identifying remains 18:37 Even the Arab envoys came to bid farewell to Israel's UN ambassador 17:20 Interfaith meet signals thaw in Saudi hostility toward Israel 12:44 Serbia setting up case against alleged Nazi unit member living in U.S. 11:46 Girl, 16, arrested for pimping out 13-year-old neighbor Previous Editions Select Day 17 jul 16 jul 15 jul 14 jul 13 jul 11 jul 10 jul 09 jul 08 jul 07 jul 06 jul 04 jul

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