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Last update - 14:22 21/08/2008
VIDEO / Sheetrit: Israel must not attack Iran, except in line of defense
By Mazal Mualem and Yossi Verter
Tags: Kadima, Iran, Sheetrit 

Interior Minister Meir Sheetrit, who is contending for Kadima's leadership, said Wednesday that Israel must not attack Iran, but only defend itself if attacked.

"Israel must on no account attack Iran, speak of attacking Iran or even think about it," Sheetrit said. "Israel must defend itself only if attacked by Iran, but attacking Iran on our own initiative is a megalomaniacal reckless idea."

Sheetrit kicked off his campaign for Kadima's primary on Tuesday by blasting his main rivals, whom he accused of inexperience.
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"We are not permitted to gamble away Israel's future and Kadima's future. People with insufficient experience jump into senior positions without taking the long, hard route of accumulating experience and knowhow," Sheetrit said at a news conference in Holon.

Sheetrit will square off against front-runner Tzipi Livni, Shaul Mofaz, and Avi Dichter for the Kadima leadership.

"The prime minister does not have to be a general," Sheetrit said. He was also asked about the clash between Livni and Labor Party chief Ehud Barak, who have been arguing over who is most qualified to answer the phone at 3 A.M. in an emergency situation.

Sheetrit said that if he is prime minister "the phone won't ring at 3 A.M. because there will be no reason for it. There are no urgent matters, only neglected matters. If there will be some sensitive matter, I'll be awake anyway."

The interior minister added that a prime minister is preoccupied with security matters "when security is the most important, but it's certainly not the whole picture."

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has reportedly said in private conversations that Sheetrit is his preferred choice to lead Kadima and the government, a leak that angered the four candidates' campaign staffs.

The news also embarrassed Olmert's people, who hastened to calm down Transportation Minister Mofaz's people and tell them that Olmert had no intention of intervening in the primary.

Sources close to the prime minister said that Olmert saw in Sheetrit political experience and professionalism stemming from the latter's days as mayor and as a minister in a number of different capacities. The sources said Olmert also appreciates Sheetrit's opinions and political leanings.

Olmert's media adviser issued a statement saying that Olmert has not expressed support in any candidate and does not intend to do so.

However, several political figures who have spoken to Olmert recently said he had told them that of the four candidates, Sheetrit is the most suitable and qualified to take his place.

He said that Sheetrit, who currently holds the bottom spot in election polls, has held more senior portfolios and has more experience both in local and national government.

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      1.   Interior Minister Sheetrit: We must not attack Iran 05:18  |  Zelda Katz 21/08/08
      2.   Don`t worry Mr. Shetreet, Israel won`t attack Iran. 06:29  |  Fortuna Benmayor 21/08/08
      3.   Kadima will fall 06:49  |  Gili 21/08/08
      4.   listen to shetreet, he is a wise man 06:54  |  VIPER 21/08/08
      5.   Iran attacking 07:05  |  Egyptian Observer 21/08/08
      6.   yeah making sure the religous nuts don`t get a nuke is crazy!!! 07:41  |  Ben Uziel 21/08/08
      7.   Iran is present at our borders. 08:10  |  Jean Van Daem 21/08/08
      8.   NEVER NEVER AGAIN!!!!! 08:32  |  Yoni 21/08/08
      9.   Sheetrit correct, but PEACE with Arab League, Saudi Plan better 09:31  |  Ivar 21/08/08
      10.   We must not attack Iran 09:45  |  Ralph 21/08/08
      11.   WHEN , HOW will Israel respond? 10:18  |  Moshe Israel 21/08/08
      12.   I think Israel will embark on a certain adventure 10:20  |  Khalid 21/08/08
      13.   Sheetrit is the best candidate, bu 10:21  |  Yonatan 21/08/08
      14.   No chance at all 10:22  |  Natallie Durson 21/08/08
      15.   Sheetrit failed 10:54  |  Septimus 21/08/08
      16.   Goodness! Commonsense from an Israeli politician 11:15  |  Johnboy 21/08/08
      17.   he is the best candidate to lead 12:05  |  aron 21/08/08
      18.   JOHBOY goodness has nothing to with threats from their puppets 13:25  |  PETER SM 21/08/08
      19.   His open statement proves he isn`t worthy for P.M. 13:43  |  nuchem 21/08/08
      20.   Still pumping out the hypocrisy, Peter SM # 18 14:22  |  Clickfool 21/08/08
      21.   It would be insane not to destroy Iran`s nukes. Sheetrit if unfit 15:11  |  Chaim 21/08/08
      22.   moderate leaders 15:56  |  j 21/08/08
      23.   #6 Ben Uziel 17:43  |  Space 21/08/08
      24.   Sheetrit 17:44  |  Deborah 21/08/08
      25.   Holocaust first before defense 21:25  |  Brod 21/08/08
      26.   Ivar #9 21:37  |  Brod 21/08/08
      27.   Sheetrit-same old sheet. Hopefully all will soon be history. 22:49  |  I hate kadima 21/08/08
      28.   #20 Hey Clickfool, where ya been? 00:00  |  ballistic 22/08/08
      29.   #18 PeterSM. "The Islamists." Your paranoia. 00:31  |  Maureen Ann 22/08/08
      30.   Don`t Underestimate Israel`s Megalomania 01:47  |  chet 22/08/08
      31.   Iran 02:16  |  johnjf 22/08/08
      32.   #18 PETER SM is in a lather 03:14  |  Johnboy 22/08/08
      33.   Ben Uziel # 6 making sure that religious nuts don`t get a nuke: 03:55  |  American in NY 22/08/08
      34.   Brod # 25 Nothing for Americans to worry about 04:00  |  American in NY 22/08/08
      35.   CFOOL You can`t have it both ways.The benefits of signing the NPT 04:49  |  PETER SM 22/08/08
      36.   video on haaretz won`t stop 05:19  |  max 22/08/08
      37.   Pray Tell, Brod 05:49  |  Mark of Lewiston 22/08/08
      38.   i agree with shetreet 06:54  |  josh 22/08/08
      39.   to gili u are dead wrong 06:59  |  dan 22/08/08
      40.   peace on earth 07:01  |  jean 22/08/08
      41.   to those who keep on threatening 07:03  |  george 22/08/08
      42.   dogs that bark dont bite 07:04  |  monique 22/08/08
      43.   to 21 chaim it is not the same 07:21  |  josh 22/08/08
      44.   to sheetreet 07:33  |  josh 22/08/08
      45.   CFOOL You can`t have it both ways.The benefits of signing the NPT 09:12  |  PETER SM 22/08/08
      46.   #11, MOSHE, dumb as 09:45  |  VIPER 22/08/08
      47.   Iran! 20:01  |  Paul 22/08/08
      48.   Mark #37 03:48  |  Brod 23/08/08
      49.   Brod re holocausts and how they ae counted 04:24  |  American in NY 24/08/08
      50.   Attacking Iran 03:53  |  Larry54 27/08/08
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