It's time to shout it out - Haaretz

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Mon., October 22, 2007 ,

Israel Time: 22:19 (EST+7)

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Last update - 09:33 21/10/2007

It's time to shout it out

By Haaretz Editorial

In language unprecedented in its bluntness, U.S. President George W. Bush warned that nuclear weapons in Iran's hands might lead to "World War III." During a speech last Wednesday, Bush explained that the danger lies in the wish of Iran's leader to destroy Israel. Bush did not discuss the other threats posed by Iran's efforts to develop nuclear weapons, such as achieving hegemony in the Gulf, slowing the flow of oil to the West, creating a proxy Shi'ite state in Iraq, or encouraging terrorism and revolution against moderate Arab governments.

Bush's statements, which placed the threat to Israel at the top of the priority list for blocking Iran's nuclear program, offer a good opportunity to reevaluate Israel's policy on the Iranian threat. The last two prime ministers, Ariel Sharon and Ehud Olmert, adopted a "low profile" approach. They reiterated, as did other Israeli leaders and ministers, that "Iran is an international problem, not an Israeli one."

At the basis of this policy lay the assumption that there was no advantage in portraying Israel as leading the struggle against Iran. Iranian nuclear arms would endanger not only Israel but the entire Middle East and the world, and a loud Israeli policy might turn into a bilateral confrontation between Iran and Israel and release world powers and the international community from their responsibility to deal with the threat.

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As such, Israel tried to walk between the rain drops. It did not remain totally silent, worried that silence would be interpreted as coming to terms with the Iranian nuclear program. But it also did not ring any alarm bells, worried that "the world" would view the matter as solely an Israeli problem. This approach was reasonable as long as the international community seemed to rally behind the diplomatic efforts against Iran. The Europeans' agreement for Iran to suspend its uranium enrichment efforts, and the Security Council's sanctions on Iran in response to the violation of that agreement, were steps in the right direction. The American efforts to boycott the Iranian banking system also have borne fruit.

However, in recent months the international scene has changed for the worse. The Iranians are not deterred by the sanctions and are continuing to enrich uranium. The International Atomic Energy Agency reached a shameful agreement with Iran that will allow it to carry on with its project. Russia and China are adamantly opposed to stepping up the sanctions, and the rising price of oil, to around $90 per barrel, is filling Iran's coffers and making the effectiveness of economic pressure doubtful. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad still makes inciteful speeches calling for Israel's destruction, and he is enjoying growing legitimacy.

Under these circumstances there is no longer any reason for Israel to whisper in the hope that "the world" will deal with the problem. Israel must clarify its concerns in a loud voice, as well as its determination not to live under the shadow of an Iranian nuclear threat. The minute President Bush placed his concern for Israel at the top of his arguments for confronting Iran, Israel had to emerge from its hideout and make its position clear. The trips by Olmert and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni to countries that are permanent members of the Security Council for talks on how to stop the Iranian threat are the first, appropriate steps in this direction.

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1.	"Drinking In The Last Chance Saloon"	11:08	\|	Rowan Berkeley	21/10/07

2.	Shout it out Haaretz!	11:47	\|	Jonathan S	21/10/07

3.	what does israel do...	12:49	\|	ravi	21/10/07

4.	Learning some manners is safer than starting a war	12:49	\|	Natallie Durson	21/10/07

5.	Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad	12:54	\|	James Brown	21/10/07

6.	If Haaretz is worried...	17:30	\|	Doron	21/10/07

7.	Ravi...	17:33	\|	Doron	21/10/07

8.	This is why Olmert needs to be gone and Netanyahu brought in	17:35	\|	Ronald	21/10/07

9.	Durson	17:53	\|	Michael	21/10/07

10.	Haaretz adopts Jingoism.	18:06	\|	ManInTheMiddle	21/10/07

11.	#2. You are irrelevant.	18:10	\|	ManInTheMiddle	21/10/07

12.	It`s none else but Lefties led bu the "Haaretz" who have been whi	18:11	\|	Absolute Sweden	21/10/07

13.	#5 Janes Brown - I`m afraid you`re wrong	18:16	\|	Yonatan	21/10/07

14.	Uzi Benziman`s op-ed	18:18	\|	Yonatan	21/10/07

15.	#4 Natallie Durson	18:36	\|	Ronald	21/10/07

16.	israel too should destroy its nukes	18:53	\|	mehmet	21/10/07

17.	To Rowan, #1	18:58	\|	Dave	21/10/07

18.	6...sorry but.....	19:01	\|	ravi	21/10/07

19.	Bad Strategy	20:36	\|	JJ	21/10/07

20.	Natalie is right	22:55	\|	Susan	21/10/07

21.	The Iranian Threat will continue...	01:48	\|	ManInTheMiddle	22/10/07

22.	Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad	22:13	\|	James Brown	22/10/07

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