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Last update - 05:59 12/02/2008 Barak tells Knesset U.S. unlikely to attack Iran's nuclear installations By Yuval Azoulay, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: united states  The likelihood that the United States will undertake military action against Iran's nuclear installations is small, Defense Minister Ehud Barak told the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee on Monday. Barak also briefed the MKs on security-related developments in the Gaza Strip and other fronts. Barak explained that the National Intelligence Estimate on Iran, prepared by American intelligence agencies, and which concluded that Tehran had halted its efforts to develop nuclear weapons, had contributed to the hesitation to take military action against Iran's nuclear program. However, Barak said that "whoever reads the small print finds that we [Israel and the U.S.] disagree on some of the conclusions [in the report] but a lot less than what one thinks at first glance." Advertisement The defense minister warned that the way events have unfolded in recent months may also make it difficult to impose further economic sanctions on Tehran. Barak said that in his talks with world leaders there is a broad agreement with Israel's assessment that Iran is trying to acquire nuclear military capability, but that "the American report is influential because of the U.S. centrality and importance." Turning to the situation on the Lebanon front, Barak said that since the end of the Second Lebanon War, Hezbollah has managed to triple the size of its missile arsenal in relation to its size prior to the start of the conflict. He also said that Hezbollah has established its position north of the Litani River with the assistance of Syria and Iran. "This [military] potential should worry us, as should the fact that Hezbollah continues to build its strength and acquire all sort of missiles. In spite of the serious blows Hezbollah suffered during the war, it has tripled its missile arsenal, and extended the range and effectiveness of these weapons," Barak said. Many of the committee members asked Barak to elaborate on the situation in the Gaza Strip and the incessant barrages of Qassam rockets against Sderot and other communities bordering the territory. According to Barak, in recent months the Israel Defense Forces has killed about 200 militants in the Gaza Strip, 16 in recent days. Barak explained that in the near future, Israel's aim is to block the continued rocket attacks and contain the smuggling of arms from Egypt. At the intermediate stage, the stability of Hamas' rule in the Strip must be undermined and Israel should seek to topple its hold there. Finally, the defense minister said, Israel should aspire to reach a stage in which it can completely disengage itself from the territory. Barak also expressed concern that there is an attempt in the Arab world to work toward a reconciliation between the rival Palestinian factions, Fatah and Hamas. "There are currently two authorities with different characters. The presence of Hamas in the Gaza Strip is a fact and we do not see the Palestinians as being able to remove them and restore Fatah control." Bookmark to del.icio.us   Google N for Nakba Israeli town sues Google over claim it was built on ruins of Palestinian village. A Belgian treat U.S. Jew says he was kicked out of a Bruges cafe because he was wearing a skullcap.   1.   Those unreliable Americans 07:38  |  spyguy 12/02/08   2.   DM E.Barak-The Engineer of the Unilateral Withdrawal Strategy 08:57  |  Joseph . E 12/02/08   3.   Should be more worried about Hezb. getting US military training 08:59  |  Pablo B 12/02/08   4.   The Jewish State Must take the 1st Step to Take Down Iran Nukes 09:05  |  Joseph . E 12/02/08   5.   For Joseph E # 4 10:42  |  Clickfool 12/02/08   6.   lazy and foolish defence minister 11:53  |  reuven 12/02/08   7.   What Barak neglects to say 12:08  |  Chris Linthwaite 12/02/08   8.   DO IT YOURSELF BARAK 13:15  |  indrajaya 12/02/08   9.   #5 Ahhh, but Clickfool, notice the method in the madness... 13:52  |  Johnboy 12/02/08   10.   Click - Israel could attack Iran without US 14:10  |  spyguy 12/02/08   11.   America will certainly not attack Iran 15:12  |  Natallie Durson 12/02/08   12.   Barak is" concerned". Time to get out of bed.!! 15:27  |  Stephen. 12/02/08   13.   the awful rhetoric 15:50  |  Ichabod 12/02/08

Today Online Bradley Burston: Sderot as Stalingrad, Hamas as Samson Responses: 88 Ahmed Yousef: Palestinian revenge was inevitable Responses: 86 Israeli town sues Google over claim it was built on Arab village Responses: 133 Minister: No freeze on Jewish house building in E. J'lem Responses: 24 Krakow church holds service slamming 'kikes who spit on us' Responses: 117 Rosner's Domain Amb. Ayalon: Why does Obama think talking to "Hitler" can succeed? Democratic policy unity is a mirage (WTR) Poll: Is it legitimate to cut electricity to Gaza? Think Clinton won the Jewish vote in California? Think again Factor: How's McCain better than Obama More Headlines 16:21 Merkel to PM: Gazans suffering due to Qassam fire 16:34 Sheetrit announces plans for first new Arab city since 1948 16:25 Peres: If we're fired upon, we must hit back without hesitation 17:03 Former U.S. VP Al Gore among recipients of 2008 Dan David Prize 14:06 Top reservists: Roadblocks in W. Bank do more harm than good 16:56 Hoenlein says 'concerned' by atmosphere surrounding Obama campaign 17:01 Asian eateries cut menu over plans to rid kitchens of foreign chefs 17:14 IAEA denies internal row over Iran, condemns Western 'hype' 12:46 Minister: No freeze on Jewish construction in E. J'lem 13:11 Barak: Ankara can wield positive influence on Damascus 14:13 IDF arrests W. Bank money changers, confiscates funds destined for terror groups 10:52 Danes seize suspects over plot against 'anti-Mohammed' cartoonists 12:48 Krakow church holds service against 'kikes who spit on us' Previous Editions Select Day 11 feb 10 feb 08 feb 07 feb 06 feb 05 feb 04 feb 03 feb 01 feb 31 jan 30 jan 29 jan

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