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Likud opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu speaking on Channel 1 Wednesday night.
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J'lem outraged by Netanyahu's admission of IAF strike on Syria
By Mazal Meulam and Aluf Benn, Haaretz Correspondent and Haaretz Service

The political and defense establishments reacted with fury on Thursday to opposition leader MK Benjamin Netanyahu's apparent confirmation of an Israeli operation in Syria two weeks ago.

In what appears to be the first confirmation by a senior politician of foreign media reports, MK Benjamin Netanyahu told Channel One television that he was party to Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's decision to attack Syria, an operation on which Israeli officials have remained uncharacteristically silent.

Labor Party secretary-general, Eitan Cabel, said to Army Radio that Netanyahu's words were "an outburst that is severe, stupid and irresponsible."

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"Bibi [Netanyahu] is the same Bibi. I haven no idea if it is foolishness, stupidity, the desire to jump on the bandwagon, the desire to be a partner, to steal credit - or something else. It is simply very dangerous. The man simply does not deserve to lead," Cabel told Army Radio.

In an interview with Channel One news anchor Haim Yavin, Netanyahu shocked the Prime Minister's Office when he said that he was briefed on Olmert's decision to carry out an operation in Syria, gave him his backing and congratulated him.

"When the prime minister takes action in important and necessary matters, and generally when the government is doing things for the security of Israel, I give it my endorsement," he said. "I was party to this matter, I must say, from the first minute and I gave it my backing, but it is still too early to discuss this subject."

Yavin then asked Netanyahu, "did you congratulate him [Olmert] on the operation?"

Netanyahu responded, "Personally, yes."

In response to the interview, sources close to Olmert said that "Bibi's slip of the tongue borders national irresponsibility."

An official said Tuesday that "once again Netanyahu couldn't restrain himself and he ran to tell the guys."

Members of the defense establishment also censured Netanyahu, calling his statement "the highest level of irresponsibility."

Politicians from the right, on the other hand, expressed support for Netanyahu and were critical of Olmert.

MK Yuval Steinitz (Likud) said that "Netanyahu's statements were unfortunate ones, but they caused no harm. This is a tempest in a teacup."

MK Gilad Erdan (Likud) said that "it is a pity that the aides of the worst prime minister in the history of the state seek out every opportunity to incite against Netanyahu, and permit themselves to use language that is lowly and contemptible, albeit typical."

"It was actually Olmert who, with his endless chatter, exposed the existence of Israel's nuclear arms. He should stay mum and not create a virtual storm from the support he is receiving from the head of the opposition as part of his responsible and stately conduct," Erdan continued.

MK Effi Eitam (National Religious Party) also came to Netanyahu's defense. "Although I am not a member of Netanyahu's party, I condemn the wrongful way in which the Prime Minister's Office is attacking Netanyahu in a personal and ugly manner in the name of national defense. His comment did not harm Israel's security, and Olmert's aides would do well to examine (Olmert's) judgment and statements during the Second Lebanon War.

The government has remained completely silent on the affair up until now, which has resulted in a slew of speculations by foreign publications.

According to a report in this week's London-based Sunday Times, for example, an Israeli source said the supposed Israel Air Force strike came in the wake of intelligence reports suggesting Syria was been planning a "devastating surprise" for Israel. The report also claimed that Israeli ground forces were involved in the attack on a Syrian installation, which foreign sources described as a nuclear facility.
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  1.   Oh Bibi... 23:19  |  Reality Check 19/09/07
  2.   Netanyahu next Isreal Prime Minister 23:34  |  e.m 19/09/07
  3.   I hope he is not just posturing 23:38  |  Jake 19/09/07
  4.   How are they going to spin this? 23:40  |  JO 19/09/07
  5.   Netanyahu divulging secrets? Nope. 23:51  |  akiva 19/09/07
  6.   Olmert`s credibility 23:54  |  ron 19/09/07
  7.   Netanyahu 00:07  |  paul 20/09/07
  8.   Is it a polyfiller? 00:11  |  Paul 20/09/07
  9.   Olmert 00:13  |  Paul 20/09/07
  10.   Vaunt and Oportunism... 00:18  |  Rolandus 20/09/07
  11.   Netanyahu opens his mouth-AT LAST................??? 00:19  |  EGW 20/09/07
  12.   To JO #4, and the rest will say: WELL DONE 00:21  |  Johnny 20/09/07
  13.   #1 is right 00:27  |  Gilad 20/09/07
  14.   He should have stayed in Phylli 00:32  |  PAPS 20/09/07
  15.   Now only the target is unknown, Israel has admited an act of war 00:37  |  Petteri 20/09/07
  16.   To Number One 00:38  |  Avi Terushalmi 20/09/07
  17.   It`s true... 00:47  |  Maureen Ann 20/09/07
  18.   Yeah right.. 00:58  |  Darren, UK 20/09/07
  19.   An amazing coincidence .Haaretz please let it will publish 01:05  |  e.m 20/09/07
  20.   JO 01:05  |  Truth 20/09/07
  21.   Not the First Haaretz 01:09  |  B`Galil 20/09/07
  22.   Bombing Syria 01:31  |  Riad Elsolh Hamad 20/09/07
  23.   Let`s see if Netanyahu will be supportive of Olmert`s Peace 01:37  |  Smadar 20/09/07
  24.   bibi - a self congratulatory dope 01:40  |  Avrom 20/09/07
  25.   Re: How are they going to spin this? 01:58  |  Omran 20/09/07
  26.   Same Old Egotist 02:09  |  David 20/09/07
  27.   I was a part of that decision too-- but than if read it 02:19  |  Sal 20/09/07
  28.   Bibi 02:45  |  Spike 20/09/07
  29.   Curious he should break the silence 02:47  |  Mark Lincoln 20/09/07
  30.   Yehareg ve Bal Yavor 03:11  |  Kaya 20/09/07
  31.   launching missles is not "bravery" 03:14  |  brad 20/09/07
  32.   BiBi`s brinkmanship ?? 03:14  |  Steve the Pals. 20/09/07
  33.   A big mouthed demagogue can`t be PM 03:39  |  Fortuna Benmayor 20/09/07
  34.   Great post, JO, # 4, congrats. 03:41  |  Fortuna Benmayor 20/09/07
  35.   Bibi didn`t say what actually happened, though... 03:49  |  Silvienne 20/09/07
  36.   BIBI the World needs more 04:01  |  Free The World 20/09/07
  37.   Israel attacks Syria 04:08  |  Neil 20/09/07
  38.   NETANYAHU IS A YAHOO 04:21  |  GABRIEL LEVY 20/09/07
  39.   Netanyahu repeatedly shows the same flaw 04:55  |  Gili 20/09/07
  40.   WHAT `SECRETS` ? 05:47  |  Theodor 20/09/07
  41.   failed state with backyard politicans 06:16  |  Refugee 20/09/07
  42.   Shameless Bibi 06:18  |  Chris 20/09/07
  43.   bibi is the man 06:28  |  walter santos 20/09/07
  44.   Israeli air-strike on Syria. 06:34  |  Michael M. 20/09/07
  45.   Even Olmert kept his mouth shut 06:41  |  Tzfonit 20/09/07
  46.   Bibi is a royal putz... 07:09  |  ben 20/09/07
  47.   Hey.... 07:14  |  JES 20/09/07
  48.   60 Iraqi scientists, Iranians and former Soviets 07:19  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 20/09/07
  49.   give peace a chance.....right! 07:36  |  Mark 20/09/07
  50.   response to Michael M. 08:04  |  Avi 20/09/07
  51.   Free Your Mind 08:21  |  Dan 20/09/07
  52.   Oh no, not again 08:30  |  Daniel 20/09/07
  53.   Netanyahu - an utterly worthless politico 08:31  |  Clickfool 20/09/07
  54.   There goes that BIG ISRAELI MOUTH AGAIN 08:33  |  M 20/09/07
  55.   Mark Lincoln #29 - Could it be yahoo was sarcascastic? 08:58  |  dana 20/09/07
  56.   Netanyahu confirms IAF carried out raid in Syria 09:00  |  Neal 20/09/07
  57.   Bibi`s PM election campaign 09:12  |  Esther 20/09/07
  58.   Michael M - a neocon`s delight - another war monger 09:13  |  dana 20/09/07
  59.   Forever Bibi..... 09:19  |  Esther 20/09/07
  60.   Israel is way too small and vulnerable to afford big mouths 09:30  |  S 20/09/07
  61.   Cipora JK #48 - do you get paid to say these things? 09:31  |  dana 20/09/07
  62.   here is the most inhuman Israeli politician 09:31  |  mehmet 20/09/07
  63.   Nothing new here 09:34  |  Big Al 20/09/07
  64.   natanyahu has proved to us his judgement 09:40  |  zion 20/09/07
  65.   clickfool you cant have it both ways 09:44  |  brighton rock 20/09/07
  66.   arrest him 09:48  |  The Kop 20/09/07
  67.   we have decided to post together 09:51  |  ravi and lakshmi 20/09/07
  68.   WORLD WAR 09:55  |  Aaron 20/09/07
  69.   a villa in the jungle 09:58  |  benzion 20/09/07
  70.   Bibi the Big Mouth 09:58  |  cares 20/09/07
  71.   let mr. netanyahu become the next prime minister of israel - 10:06  |  saul a. readner 20/09/07
  72.   Attention Haaretz.com Editor 10:12  |  Reader 20/09/07
  73.   The increasingly small zionist fishbowl 10:17  |  Hannah 20/09/07
  74.   #48, Ms Kohn 10:21  |  Hannah 20/09/07
  75.   Bush`s diversion from the Iraqi quagmire 10:23  |  Andrew Watson 20/09/07
  76.   dana 10:23  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 20/09/07
  77.   where are all the doubters now ? 10:30  |  victor hardman 20/09/07
  78.   Darren, sour grapes? 10:32  |  Jasmine Murphy 20/09/07
  79.   A FORMAL RETALIATION TO OLMERT 10:32  |  indrajaya 20/09/07
  80.   #29Mark Lincoln. Something curious over your skys. 10:41  |  Maureen Ann 20/09/07