Subscribe to Print Edition | Mon., September 14, 2009 Elul 25, 5769 | | Israel Time: 20:06 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
Haaretz Toolbar
Diplomacy
Defense Jewish World Opinion National
Print Edition
Car Rental
Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Focus U.S.A. Travel Week's End Anglo File
Deputy Prime Minister Dan Meridor.
(Alon Ron)
Share |
Last update - 17:02 12/09/2009
Deputy PM: Time is now for action on Iran nukes
By Reuters and Haaretz Service
Tags: Israel News, Iran, Israel 

Deputy Prime Minister Dan Meridor said "the time is now" for Israel and the world to act to thwart Iran's nuclear ambitions, after world powers on Friday accepted Iran's response to their offer of talks on the issue.

"The time is now," Meridor told Reuters in an interview published Saturday. "There is no more time to waste, and that's not only the Israeli perspective, it's much more general."

Meridor, who is also Minister of Intelligence and Atomic Energy, played down speculation that Israel was on the verge of launching a military strike against Iran's nuclear facilities.
Advertisement

"I'm not speaking of military action," he said. "I don't want to give any word that would be misinterpreted. I intentionally put this issue in its broader context."

He said Iran is a "special case" for his country because Iranian leaders say Israel is illegitimate and should not exist, Iran is boosting its military capabilities and is involved in international terrorism.

However, he added that, "One should not close one's eyes, but we are in a way fortunate that this is not only Israel's problem."

The minister said Iran would reach bomb-making potential before "the distant future," but noted this was not the key issue facing the world.

"The trend is clear, and if you want to be an owner of nuclear weapons or have the capability of being a nuclear power it changes the balance of power," he told Reuters.



Related articles:
  • ANALYSIS / Clock is ticking for Iran as Israel appears ready for strike
  • Iran FM says nuclear talks with West are 'possibility'
  • U.S.: Six world powers accept Iran's offer to hold talks
  • PROMOTION: Mamilla Hotel
    Bookmark to del.icio.us  
     
    Ramon family tragedy
    Captain Asaf Ramon, son of Israel's first astronaut, killed in IAF crash.
    Renewal of peace talks
    Negotiations may resume on basis that Palestinian state will be created in two years.
      1.   what is the purpose of more talks? 16:38  |  bar kochma 12/09/09
      2.   EXACTLY how much more general is this perspective? 16:38  |  Kris Lazar 12/09/09
      3.   Talks?...what a disaster for Israel 16:43  |  Tim 12/09/09
      4.   Time is now for what? 17:31  |  HAL 12/09/09
      5.   Israel 17:42  |  Natalie Durson 12/09/09
      6.   Iran Will Talk w/ Obama 18:02  |  Stephen 12/09/09
      7.   time is to stop occupation and suffering of people 18:26  |  le mouel 12/09/09
      8.   Time is now for action on Iran nukes 18:38  |  Josue 12/09/09
      9.   #4 le mouel 18:45  |  *BEN JABO 12/09/09
      10.   Mr. Meridor....Come on...Go at Iran... 18:47  |  ali 12/09/09
      11.   Yes, Nukes have tipped the balance of power 18:54  |  Bill C. 12/09/09
      12.   a problem???? 19:08  |  sameer 12/09/09
      13.   Dont do it! It would be Suicide! 19:10  |  Dave 12/09/09
      14.   NUMBER 1 and 2 19:38  |  Brant 12/09/09
      15.   Israel has no choice 19:38  |  *BEN JABO 12/09/09
      16.   Putin must have told Bibi where he could stuff his war 19:55  |  Mark Lincoln 12/09/09
      17.   # 13 There`s New Warfare--Stop Thinking in the Past 20:53  |  Stephen 12/09/09
      18.   Stephan from Florida 21:14  |  Eaglebeak 12/09/09
      19.   Mark Lincoln in Texas 21:19  |  Eaglebeak 12/09/09
      20.   make sure..wait until the fire is actually raging in your house 21:23  |  Moshe 12/09/09
      21.   #14, MarkL 21:47  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 12/09/09
      22.   does Israel have nukes or not? 22:18  |  Jim 12/09/09
      23.   11 That`s exactly what the 6 nations want 22:58  |  Peet 12/09/09
      24.   #15, #16... 23:12  |  ali 12/09/09
      25.   disappointed in mix of posters 23:25  |  Paul Freedman 12/09/09
      26.   Mark Lincoln is beginning to sound like ... 23:27  |  Malone 12/09/09
      27.   Iranian Peral Harbor? 23:49  |  Mark of Lewiston 12/09/09
      28.   Time for fools 23:55  |  Siad 12/09/09
      29.   Ok and what comes next? 00:36  |  Shock 13/09/09
      30.   When you keep on hearing the Same Iranian threats 01:50  |  *BEN JABO 13/09/09
      31.   cool it, Israel! 02:17  |  Jim 13/09/09
      32.   Paul Freedman, I`m disappointed in you... 03:46  |  BBSNews 13/09/09
      33.   #29 Jim - Murfreesboro 03:51  |  *BEN JABO 13/09/09
      34.   #14 Lincoln, you too are desperate 03:53  |  *BEN JABO 13/09/09
      35.   What a laugh! 04:08  |  Johnboy 13/09/09
      36.   Fuss 04:39  |  jjvanka 13/09/09
      37.   johnboy LAUGHING with HIMSELF. Again. 05:06  |  CK Tan 13/09/09
      38.   Shock 05:26  |  Peter Williams 13/09/09
      39.   Cure for racism 06:02  |  Rod 13/09/09
      40.   Mr. Deputy PM, Re: The world... 06:48  |  Dutch 13/09/09
      41.   Mr. Deputy PM, Re: Israel`s legitimacy 06:58  |  Dutch 13/09/09
      42.   bbsnews 09:06  |  zoe 13/09/09
      43.   duch 09:55  |  zoe 13/09/09
      44.   Iran 11:04  |  Jim 13/09/09
      45.   Iran 13:34  |  Ray 13/09/09
      46.   "a fever hotter than a pepper sprout" 21:56  |  DICKERSON3870 13/09/09
      47.   iran 23:58  |  jack 13/09/09
      48.   power 00:07  |  creature 14/09/09
      49.   The latest Hitler 03:32  |  Nachum 14/09/09
      50.   TO ZOE #42 04:10  |  Steve Beikirch 14/09/09
      51.   TO BBSNews # 32 04:11  |  Steve Beikirch 14/09/09
      52.   43, Zoe, Re a safe address 08:05  |  Dutch 14/09/09
      53.   41, Re Israel`s legitimacy 13:25  |  Dutch 14/09/09
      54.   43, Zoe, Re: Israel a safe address (? ) 16:02  |  Dutch 14/09/09
      55.   BEIKIRCH & BBS - Birds of a feather 17:58  |  *BEN JABO 14/09/09
    Special Offers
    Advertisement
    Date Local Jewish Singles
    Ready to meet your match? Join Jdate today!
    Eldan Rent a Car
    Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on online reservations
    Holidays are here
    Minerals Aromatics Body Lotion for free! Click here.
    Junkyard
    Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt
    Amazing Jewelry
    Visit SoKoBe.com for the best priced fine jewelry in the world
    More Headlines
    19:53 Asaf Ramon buried beside his father; Peres: All of Israel in mourning
    19:46 'Ramon family is heroic and tragic, like the Kennedys'
    17:41 Can there be such a thing as an Israeli hero?
    18:49 Netanyahu urges tougher Iran sanctions, but EU wants to wait
    19:23 WJC: World must boycott Ahmadinejad speech at UN
    16:37 Israel: Won't accept 'complete freeze' on settlement building
    19:19 Israeli activists attempt to send Rosh Hashana package to Shalit
    22:43 TV ROUND-UP: Ilan Ramon's son dies in crash, Peres meets Mitchell
    19:35 Egypt defends shootings of migrants along Israel border
    18:23 UN: Gaza water supply could collapse in wake of Israel war
    20:02 Maccabi Haifa looks to end Bayern's winning run
    18:34 Rabin assassin to remain in solitary confinement, despite appeal
    17:49 Bin Laden issues new tape warning U.S. against ties with Israel
    Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Site rules |
    | Israel 2009 election results | Makom: Engaging on Israel
    | Search engine marketing
    Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.
    © Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved