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Last update - 01:21 25/09/2008 A reply to Ahmadinejad By Haaretz Editorial Tags: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad  Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad used his speech at the United Nations General Assembly two days ago for a flagrant attack against Israel. Ahmadinejad prophesized that "the Zionist regime is on the path to collapse" and repeated the anti-Semitic claim that "a handful of Zionists controls the economic centers and political decision making" in the West. Ahmadinejad's fourth visit to New York was held against the backdrop of the disintegration of the international effort to impose sanctions on his country in an attempt to curb its nuclear program. According to an assessment by Military Intelligence presented to the cabinet this week, Iran is "galloping toward a nuclear bomb" and mastering the technology for enriching uranium, while the diplomatic and economic battle against it is ineffective. Israel is justifiably concerned about the naivete with which Ahmadinejad was received by the American media, as well as the world's growing tendency to view him as a legitimate leader and cease efforts to stop the Iranian nuclear program. The calls by the Iranian president to destroy Israel deserve the strongest condemnation, and we must continue the diplomatic struggle against them. But Israel must not be boxed into the corner where Ahmadinejad wants it and join an exchange of threats and counterthreats, which would only intensify the anxiety in Israel and possibly lead to a confrontation. Advertisement The chance that the United States or Israel will try to bomb Iran's nuclear facilities looks slim at the moment. Even without waiving the military option, we must not be tempted into bombing as a miracle drug against the Iranian threat. The government is obligated to exhaust every other possibility before seriously considering using the Israel Defense Forces for a distant and highly risky operation in Iran. Since a direct Israeli rapprochement with Iran is impossible because of the regime's hostility to Israel's very existence, the best chance of calming the atmosphere and reducing the threat lies in starting negotiations between the United States and Iran. The two U.S. presidential candidates support this approach, with varying degrees of enthusiasm, with the understanding that it is the only route not yet tried and is likely to help moderate Iranian policy. Israel must encourage an American rapprochement with Iran, with the understanding that this will serve the Israeli interest as well. Prime minister-designate Tzipi Livni presented a balanced approach to the Iranian threat in interviews before the Kadima primary. Livni does not accept the statement that Israel "will not be able to live" with a nuclear Iran; she says Israel will live and must deal with the challenges it faces. In her response to Ahmadinejad's speech yesterday, Livni demanded that Iran not be allowed to join the UN Security Council, but she was not carried away into making belligerent threats. Livni believes that Israel must not stand at the head of Iran's opponents, releasing the international community from the need to stop that country's nuclear program. The next government must adhere to the balanced approach. It must explain to the public that Israel does not face a holocaust and that it can defend itself and deter its enemies. The next government must support a diplomatic effort led by the United States to change Iran's threatening policy. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Iranian support Khamenei: Iran will never abandon Hamas, its holy warrior Ismail Haniyeh. Weight connection Israeli, Palestinian women come together to lose weight and stay healthy.   1.   Reply to Ahmadinejad 04:29  |  Muhammad Bawa 25/09/08   2.   If Haaretz Dislikes Ahmadinejad maybe He is Good For Israel? 07:45  |  Baruch Gold 25/09/08   3.   #1 Bawa 15:55  |  EZ 25/09/08   4.   IraQ has diverted attention from IraN & Ahmedinejad 15:57  |  nate 25/09/08   5.   A reply to Ahmadinejad 17:36  |  Tagh 25/09/08   6.   Why even reply to the guy? 18:12  |  IranianSkeptic 25/09/08   7.   Escapism again Misunderstanding Iranian regime`s mentality 18:15  |  Shalom Freedman 25/09/08   8.   Is Israel ready to give up it`s nuclear weapons? 22:25  |  Tom Clark 25/09/08   9.   He spoke of reverence for Moses 22:35  |  No Iran shiite fool 25/09/08   10.   the bomb 23:06  |  Captain Zen 25/09/08   11.   president hate personified 00:03  |  don muntean 26/09/08   12.   To Shalom Freedman who wrote: 00:16  |  don muntean 26/09/08   13.   ? Umbrella situation ? ??? 19:02  |  H.H.M 26/09/08   14.   To#9--part 1 21:01  |  Michael Greenberg 26/09/08   15.   Tom Clark`s Response #8 22:55  |  J. Parker 26/09/08   16.   Ahmadinejad talking!!! 00:37  |  Michael 29/09/08   17.   What really Ahmadinejad said: 13:36  |  ALGERIAN 29/09/08   18.   17 you`re sixty years too late 16:04  |  Israel 29/09/08   19.   #17 Referendum`s are for people not arabic beasts(garbage)... 19:30  |  misha 29/09/08   20.   # 19 Dear Misha, you think you`re born civilized 20:12  |  ALGERIAN 29/09/08   21.   To Algerian 06:46  |  Persian Kitty 30/09/08   22.   To Algerian - part II 06:47  |  Persian Kitty 30/09/08   23.   Sorry! It is bit too late 09:15  |  Yuri 30/09/08   24.   Again promoting appeasement like in Munich 15:33  |  Rolandus 30/09/08   25.   So,Persian Kitty-What should we do with these Clowns?? 22:52  |  DK 01/10/08

Read & React Prof. Sternhell: Supporters of occupation are not Zionist Responses: 206 Discontented Fatah politicos consider launching third intifada Responses: 102 Olmert: Israel must quit East Jerusalem and Golan Responses: 376 Gershom Gorenberg: The settlement movement began in self-deception Responses: 60 McCain camp: Claim that Palin endorsed Hamas is 'libel' Responses: 86 More Headlines 21:51 Olmert to be questioned by police for eighth time 22:46 Khamenei: Iran will never abandon Hamas, its holy warrior Haniyeh 22:57 Syrian FM: We aren't supplying weapons to Hezbollah 22:23 Congress leaders optimistic on revived U.S. bailout package 21:34 VIDEO / Israeli, Palestinian women come together to lose weight 12:36 'How can the People of the Book be against books?' 20:26 Holocaust denier detained at London's Heathrow airport 14:00 Bahraini FM calls for Mideast forum that includes Israel, Iran 22:52 U.S. approves sale to Israel of 25 F-35 fighter jets 16:07 Austria vote / When an efficient far-right meets a deficient center 21:58 Rescue team finds missing Israeli tourist in Ecuador 16:10 McCain camp: Claim that Palin endorsed Hamas is 'libel' 16:10 Israel cuts U.S. cluster bombs for homemade self-detonating brand 22:31 Federal judge upholds right of U.S. terror victims in Israel to sue PLO Previous Editions Select Day 30 sep 29 sep 28 sep 26 sep 25 sep 24 sep 23 sep 22 sep 21 sep 19 sep 18 sep 17 sep

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