Ex-IDF chief: Israel can't handle nuclear Iran alone

A barking dog never bites. All of you should take this advice from me. Israel and the US threaten Iran on a daily basis even though Iran is ignoring the threat. There is no way in the world US or the tiny likely island of Israel will strike Iran, it?s impossible unless if they are seeking for World War III. If Israel thinks for one moment going alone and strike Iran then they will launch a ?hail marry? pass with limited success and stall their inevitable demise. The bullying of the USA will follow. The time for the USA and Israel to strike, HARD, was under President Bush. Now that the economy is hit so hard, the USA will not do as it must, over there, as it is bogged down in the wrong countries, afraid to attack the real target ? Iran. The time has past for action. That is my humble and more realistic down to Earth opinion. So Israel, stop barking, wake up and smell the coffee.

where!these are idle words!Israel can handle iran alone, all they have to do is show a/mad/jad what a nuke can do,give that maniac a taste of what he is desiring to do the US and Israel with his nukes and he will fall back into line,but that does not have to happen either,just make sure the maniac is in the right place at the right time!it's the only way the US was able to end the Japan war and it's the only way to stop the muslim terrorist war against the world!don't wait for a/mad/jad to nuke you Israel while the abominable obama sits back and does nothing to prevent it!he will still be calling for his idle word of "sanctions" when a/mad/jad hits Israel!the only thing obama has been good thus far for is "blowing hot air" he is taking the US no where but down!he's all for the muslims,maybe it's because he is one!you think?

If only the U.S. could rent or let Israel use its invincible Ms Eisenhower flightdeck to fly supersonic Hornets to and from the nuclear plants. Ms Eisenhower has an extraordinary defense system from sea sparrows to more advanced missile repellants of the very latest, modern technology. Ms Eisenhower is practically invincible. The flightdeck could be anchored in the Iranian sea, in the intl. waters; that would shorten the flight distance significantly and no midair fuellings are needed. Alternatively the flightdeck could be anchored before the Israeli coastline somewehere in order to fire its patriots to protect Israel from the missiles fired at her from anywhere. Technology is there. What is missing in my opinion is the U.S.A*s will to lend a helping hand to Israel.

Why is all the pressure on Iran to disarm? Israel is the only State in the Middle East that has nukes. Israel has waged more offensive wars over the past 30 years than Iran. I'm not defending the despotic rulers of Iran in terms of governance of its people. Obviously it is terrible and no one would want it, that being said that still doesn't leave justification for an Israeli strike. If you look at the situation from an Iranian perspective building nukes is a very logical choice. On the one hand you have the United States your sworn enemy occupying the countries east and west of you, then you have Israel holding a stockpile of nukes.

Alone? Israel you are NOT alone.Psalm 121:4 Behold, He who keeps Israel Will neither slumber nor sleep Israel it is through you that G-d comes to the world. If you don't have faith how do you expect the rest of the world to?

Israel threatens the other countries in the ME with nuclear destruction. Having nuclear capabilities will ensure MAD, and protect Iran from a nuclear strike if Israel should want one.

OC: "Please tell us why Iran needs nuclear weapons." Iran is still feeling the effects of an eight-year war launched by a madman who was: 1) intent upon strip-mining Iran, and 2) willing to kill any Iranian who got in his way. The Mullah's might juuuust have decided they need nukes to stop that from ever happening to them again. Which, of course, leads us to...... George W Bush declaring that "States like these, and their terrorist allies, constitute an axis of evil," before announcing that "And all nations should know: America will do what is necessary to ensure our nation's security." Now, so sorry, those are the words of someone who is saying he's a' comin' a' gunnin' fer the Axis of Evil. Only... 1) The AoE dude *without* nukes was promptly steamrolled. 2) The AoE dude *with* nukes was left alone It doesn't take a genius to look at that and conclude that it's waaaaay better to have nukes ESPECIALLY when a moron with a gun is a' gunnin' fer' ya'.

Don't pick fights that you cannot finish yourself. Wouldn't it be amazing if Israel could actually survive for a year on their own, without handouts from the American taxpayer, without "charity" donations, without Madoff schemes, etc?

Israel cannot handle Iran of today forget a nuclear Iran militarily. Iran is not like Iraq, Iran has strong military and far support compared to Iraq. As you all know America is already strugalling with two wars and they dont have time for a third one, so Isreal seat back and focus on peace on earth for gods seck. Yakuv, Iman.

There is no way that Israel could attack Iran without US connivance. Israel needs jet fuel from the US, it needs the bunker-buster bombs that only the US have, and it needs US help to get to Iranian targets. Israel will also need US help to deal with retaliatory attacks against Israel. All this takes planning. There is no way Israel can plan all this without the US. Furthermore, Israel will also be dealing with both Hamas and Hezbollah as they go for Iran. Just hitting Iran's nuclear facilities will not bring about regime change in Iran. It is regime change that Irael wants; the nuclear facilites are merely an excuse to hit Iran. Hezbollah and Hamas are the real target but while they are supported by Iran, they are too tough for Israel.

E: "If the WEST cared about ISRAEL ... they would ACT !" Translation: If you love me then you'll hit him for me. So hit him for me. This isn't a film noir, Esther. Israel can fight her own battles, thank you very much, and if she comes out of a catfight looking a bit torn and tattered, well, that's her problem....

Haaretz: "Israel may lack the military means for successful preemptive strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities, " Note that such a strike would be launched to prevent Iran from obtaining a CAPABILITY. Such a strike is therefore an PREVENTATIVE attack, and not an PREEMPTIVE attack. It makes a big difference: int'l customary law does allow for a PREEMPTIVE strike, but no state has a right to launch a PREVENTATIVE attack. You can't attack simply because your opponent is building up his strength, and you don't want him to achieve that level of strength. You can only attack if an attack upon you is imminent and unavoidable. Israel is abusing the language to justify the unjustifiable.

why can't israel give up its nuclear weapons obtained illegally for the sake of peace in the middle east?if not then keep the us out of this messe.

Halutz for your qualified and honest evaluation of the situation. What is needed is smart power.

But if war is an extension of diplomacy, what is diplomacy without the threat of war? Two successive American presidents have sought to set Israel up as bad cop, the military bite to America*s **good cop**, the feeble US sanctions bark. By invading Iraq the US set the stage for the Iranian threat. The cleanup job is not for Israel, but for the US. Yes, as the US constantly reminds the world in spurring Israel on, Iran is an *existential threat for Israel.* But an even greater threat is global ire and isolation for causing the oil to stop flowing, for tipping the world from the Bush Great Recession into, if Israel agrees to be America*s stooge, the Israel Great Depression. This issue cannot be about *loyalty* or Israeli *machismo* but about Israeli survival. Dont agree to be America*s shaheed!

Thank you Dan Halutz. At last an informed and qualified military voice appears to question of Israeli political leadership pandering to American pressure. There has never been a doubt that the US position of dependence on sanctions would never work. According to a recent NY Times article, "the list of [Iranian] sanctions is [already] six pages long. But none have accomplished the central goal." Not surprising since, the article continues, "North Korea, Cuba and Myanmar have been economically isolated for decades, with little effect." No, the real reason is that the US has been squirming out of a new ME confrontation since the problem rose for Bush in Iraq (before he dicided to invade, Israel and Saudi intelligence, and even the US CIA warned Bush that Iran, not Iraq, was the real problem!). According to a present senior White House official, **This [sanctions policy] is about driving them back to negotiations, *because the real goal here is to avoid war.*

Come on now, Israel's the fourth strongest military in the world. She's a big girl now. Why not see if Israel has what it takes? Worried that for once, Israel's gonna get more than a blood nose if it does it solo?

It would be wiser to focus on Pakistan rather than Iran. Islam can be used as a weapon by Israelis (as it is doing) or it can be used to unite potential foes under a harmless umbrella. Pakistanis are ultra-sophisticated in some ways that Israelis are not, and that can be used either to Israel's benefit or its detriment.

Likely scenario. Iran builds nuclear dirty missles to deploy and have aimed at Israel. First response - Israel uses Arrow missle defense system to shoot down most. Plan of attack prior? Israel, UN, USA armed forces airstrike from the Gulf in joint efforts. Targets - centrifuge plants, bridges, satellite and telecommunications, airfields, military bases. Increase sanctions, people revolt. War averted. Result? People retake Iran. Any going further would provoke Mid-eastern states in calling prosecution. End of story.

nuclear program and facilities . Unfortunatly , Since the Obama Administration took power last year , it has ordered a severe and significant embargo of weapons sales to Israel in general , and blocked in particular the specific tools needed for a better preemptive strike against Iran nuclear program and facilities . So much for the 40 years old U.S security pledge to Israel military's qualitative edge. As if not enough , The Obama Administration has approved more than $10 billion of arms sales to Arab League states, Kuwait, Jordan, Morocco, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Including F-16s, Harpoon Block 2 anti-ship missiles, Hellfire air-to-ground missiles, fast attack craft and helicopters to Egypt. The Obama administration plan 24 more F-16s for Egypt and 24 additional F-16s for Morocco . Israel has lost its advantage over the Arabs regarding the quantity and quality of weapons.

has anyone thought of an emergency evacuation plan for the 2 or 3 largest cities? Buildings can soon be rebuilt (Hiroshima) but lives ..... Clearways, buses, trains, one hour max; could be doable?

Israel is in no position to seriously consider any attack on Tehran's nuclear facilities. President Obama must approve any such plan and at this time that is highly unlikely.

It will take the full cooperation of Monaco to get the job done.

I think you know the answer. Because using nukes is a last resort for Israel. Because Israel wants to avoid huge civilian casualities in Iran. It is only possible using conventional weapons of high precision.

Israel's objective is to preserve its existence. That's why it would feel that it needs a nuclear deterrent. Please tell us why Iran needs nuclear weapons.

Please go and do some research, Ahmidinejad has never said he wants to wipe israel of the planet, this is just what fox news and the rest have translated it to be, if Ahmidinejad spoke english than this lie would have never been able to be made. Check your sources, they tell you what they want you to hear.

TALK IS CHEAP ! Man ... if I had done my job like these politicians ... No wonder the world is in the MESS it is today. If the WEST & Europe really cared about ISRAEL .. they would act... NOT pay LIP SERVICE ! They don't know ... but their necks are also on the chopping block NEXT ! What happens to Israel ... will have DIRE consequences to those nations who could have done something to help ... but didn't. GUARANTEED !

Sadly, Dan is right. Israel doesn't have enough jet fighters to attack Iran's N.sites and at the same time protect the borders from Syrian, Hamas and Hizballa attacks. Syria is a big problem and most chances it will come to the aid of Iran. Assad has the assurance after he saw what happened in 2006 in Lebanon. And of course, Israel needs the anti-bunker bombs, and for what I know, only USA have these. Dan supports waiting to 2015 to have the F35 squadrons and Israeli made anti-bunker bombs.

Israel needs to be pragmatic and practical ,all these talks of military action is just to get idiots excited ,real experts know that there is no military solution, regime change must be accomplished by iranians not outside force any intervention will have grave consequences ,specially for israel regadless of having nuclear arsenal since it is a very tiny with concentrated population in very unfriendly neighborhood so she needs to learn to live with nuclear iran ,israel cannot be only dominant power in the region.

Iran's nuclear sites is a piece of cake to IDF. The extensive training in Greece, to bypass even S-300 battery.

Halutz is not helping Israel by preempting its capability. His performance in the war with Hezbollah shows his own weakness. But personal weakness should not reflect the nation's performance. If Halutz thinks he can depend on the West that is currently dominated by AntiSemites, it is like depending on Hitler's boys to lead the charge. The fact is Israel has all the capabilities to confront and defeat any dark forces that are hellbent on its destruction. The GOD of Israel has restored Modern Israel in their Ancient Land of Israel. And He will not fail to insure that Israel prevails against the dark forces.

Only someone totally unconcerned with Israel's security (like yourself?) would ignore the words of someone with tremendous experience and knowledge in the matter under discussion. True, Halutz shoulders responsibility for the Lebanon debacle, but that was mostly due to the ground ops, not the air war. Judge the matter and the words on their merit, like an adult.

Israe has no alternative. Iran has promised to wipe Israel off the map ss soon as it is able. No one is going to protect Israel. What shal Israel do?

or imagined ayatollah's finger on iran's nukes which they dont have?

The hawks would do well to listen to the former CHIEF OF STAFF when he says: "I'm not some passer-by ... I've filled a few positions that give me a different level of information [then] the average person,". Damned right! And he KNOWS that tiny Israel is not, by any means whatsoever, ready for 'show-time' with the highly industrialized Islamic Republic of Iran.

Time to see if the U.S still has ball's if Germany is Israel's real friend, and if France will for once grow some balls.

Israel does not have to care as well. Well, Israels propaganda machine can come down.

Always talking out of turn,well this time you can sell your shares without fear of judgement ,except once again you will be wrong ,Israel will do what is necessary ,when it is necessary .

THIS IS A CALL FOR NUCLEAR SHELTERS ESCAPE SCENARIOUS AND BRINGING IN THE ISLAMIC WORLD AS NUCLEAR HOSTAGES .THE WEST WONT ATTACK THEY ARE GUTLESS AND SCARED OF CHAOTIC AFTER EFFECTS SO ISRAEL AND THE USA MUST MAKE THE WORLD KNOW THAT NUCLEAR PROLIFERATION MUST BE MET WITH MASS SUPERPROLIFERATION .

Israel is ahead with its own nuke count.

This is disinformation. Don't pay any attention to it.

Only the occupation is indager of a nuke armed iran. Iran has chemical and biological weapons, how come they havent used them on the west as you like to make us think ?