Livni behind closed doors: Iran nukes pose little threat to Israel

Its obvious Iran (Persia) hasn't attacked any one in 800 years.

Where are you getting your statistics from..?? When you say "most" that has to be more than 50%.--You can't simply pull numbers or allegations out of a hat--You are sounding just like Lakshmi--If you intend to quote polls of some sort, there have to be a variety of polls, not based on just one--Don't pretend to talk for a majority if you can't prove it--

She is to be removed from power, along with the rest of the Kadima lunatics, ASAP!! Bibi, Avigdor, Eli -- the time has come to close the door on this postmodern insane government. We need elections NOW!!

"France, Germany, Russia and China will not support an attack on Iran, stop dreaming. Just like Iraq, US will be wading in feces alone without the help of any of them" How right you are! And most Americans don't support attacks on Iran for Israel's benefit either... Best regards

You remind me of Bush: if I'm not with you, you reckon, I'm against you. When it comes to bashing you're an expert, demanding to know the precise stance of others with regard to a whole range of questions. You decry Arab bashing, but I've noticed that you and your friends have no compunctions about attacking me personally.

"Any chance for peace?" You tell me. The difficulty in arriving at diplomatic solutions is illustrated by the fact that Japan is objecting to the nuclear related deal with North Korea.

What's with all the invitations, Margie? Can't find any Arabs for target practice? Arab-bashing on your forum isn't much fun when there are no Arabs around to react? But dont give up hope, some naive soul may yet fall for your propaganda and take a few hits before hightailing out of there.

France, Germany, Russia and China will not support an attack on Iran, stop dreaming. Just like Iraq, US will be wading in feces alone without the help of any of them. Germany, Russia and China have ample trade and contracts with Iraq and despite public consumption articles have said they oppose more sanctions, let alone war. Livi disloyalty, why, because she refuses to beat unwarranted war drums and tells the truth for once, like Mossad head cited saying same thing. Be careful what you wish for---you may find yourself on the run once again for your warmongering attitude. Regards.

Iran doesn't need a nuke to decimate Israel. She has enough conventional material to do it. This BS about a nuke is simply that Zionists/US want to continue to abuse the locals without any thought of the concept of MAD. Kudos for Livni for being truthful; I do believe that a Mossad head said the same thing. Better hope war does not break out in the ME; Israelis have far more to lose than the sea of Arabs around them, not to mention the small size of Israel. More money for Cheney/Halliburton plus oil and not one genuine thought for the homies in Israel, nope, not one thought. Cheney would toss the whole crew in a pacemaker heart beat if he could simply get that oil---he is addicted to the thought of it. Any nukes thrown will solve the issue by making the area uninhabitable. BTW, I read large numbers of Israelis are coming to the US to establish residency for their children and grandchildren. Guess they don't believe that "chosen" stuff. Regards.

Who is being terrorized by Bush? the world False terror alerts, fake bin ladin videos, warmongering,lies,corrution,deception,anthrax scares, warrantless spying,threats of World War 3, calling everything Al-Qaeda, labeling those he opposes as terrorists or enemy combatants (no rights to a fair trial),neglect of New Orleans, not warning us about 9/11 (He was warned many times)

Now he wants a World War. He openly says this. The Bush family is linked to the Nazis. Prescott Bush wanted a coup in this country to have a Hitler sytle regime. Prescott Bush, Bush's grandfather supported Hitler and the Nazis. Now his grandson is doing the same. Spying on Americans,secret detention camps, torture, rendition. What next gas chambers in camps made by Halliburton. Hitler said " The Homeland" and Bush created Homeland Security. Bush uses the media for his propaganda. Goebbels said propaganda.

Bush used the tragedy of 9/11 , So he could have Endless War. The war on Terror is Bogus. Bin Ladin died in 2001. Those Bin Ladin Videos are Fake. They have been proven to be fake. Bush is full of lies and deception.

You're invited too. Come and point out to us precisely where and how we have insulted you. I remember you weren't so delicate about insulting me directly (and incorrectly) on Haaretz recently and didn't bother to apologize when I proved you wrong.

As a woman, she, unlike your Raanan Gissin, does not want WW3 which a pre emptive assault on Iran might just bring about, not immediately, but within a year of the assault. Anyone who reflects on the situation will realise that no nation will attack Israel with nukes, or with anything else, for the simple reason that the retaliatory response by the US of Israel will obliterate that nation. Because the USSR had thousands of nukes, it was safe. But if it only had between one and ten nukes it would have been in some danger as this would have been almost an invitation for the US to attack the USSR had the US wished to. That is why Iran is no threat to Israel and never will be, as they would need thousands of nukes for reasons of parity since between one and ten nukes can only ever be a mild deterrence. Pres Ahmadinejad unfortunately did say that `Israel would pass from the pages of time` because it gave warmongers the opportunity to twist that to `wiping Israel off the map.

Truth be told, no one knows whether Iran would or wouldn't use nuclear weapons once it obtains them, or pass them on to Hezbollah or some other group of lunatics. But even if Livni is correct, and a nuclear armed Iran would not attack Israel or any other countries, Iran obtaining the bomb could well cause many other countries to go down that path (indeed, some have already started). Once Iran has it, the Saudis will want to follow suit, as will the Egyptians, the Turks, then the Greeks, and pretty soon a chain of proliferation ahs begun that could reach all the way into Central Europe. MAD has worked thus far, but the more countries that have these things....will it continue to work? I think I'd rather not find out.

Peter, I may have exaggerated at one time or another to dramatically express a point of view but I have never lied as you have accused me.I told you before to keep away from me. This week you were discussing the proper way of completing the mass deportations of the Palestinians and to what degree you would expect an uproar in public opinion. If you wish, I can provide you with the link to your comments at your forum that I am not naming, that I have saved. Your comment dovetails with your other one on Talkback last week of stringing one up every day until regev and goldwasser are released. We are not surprised by your comments because we know you but we are surprised that nobody is telling you to stop.

"Olivebranch continues to grow" - peter Hahahahahahahhahahahah!

Someone should give her a book about Neville Chamberlien. While Olmart runs around begging for European and American support against Iran ... our silly little FM speaks foolishness.

I agree. I think you'd be safe in assuming this story will get virtually no media play in the US.

Thank you for the kind invitation, but I think I will pass. I am not interested in being the target of more personal insults, slurs and slander as were directed at the Arab side on Shalom-Salaam before one of your most esteemed members was kicked off our forum. You also seem to have scared off the only Arab that ever signed on to your forum right from the start - and no wonder, given the nature and tone of your discussions. So thanks, but no thanks, I dont post on sites that promote intolerance and hatred, and who see nothing wrong with ethnic cleansing and chemical sterilization - for anyone. You are welcome to your new place. Although it consists only of Jewish members, one would be hard pressed to even call it a Shalom-Shalom site. Your ideas of "peace" hardly match the generally accepted definition of the word. That you site continues to grow is no surprise, unfortunately there is no shortage of people - like good old GABE for example - who agree with your mindset.

I couldn't have said it better myself. I invite everyone here to visit this so-called "peace" forum that advocates such dubious "solutions" as chemically infertilizing the Arabs, calling them idiots and then basically patting each other on the back for a job well done. The only thing these people have achieved is confirmation concerning their character. Gabe's approval is the cherry on top of this pile of poo. Congratulations Margie and Peter, you have finally tapped into your true targets: rabid Arab-haters who make no pretense about their feelings. I actually respect Gabe more than the both of you. At least he's not a hypocrite.

You are invited to our visitors' section to discuss and debate these accusations you are making. You obviously know the address. :)

It's typical of people like walid and whodey to make wild claims and assertions that are based on nothing but their own desires. We have our own open policies and anybody can take a look and see, contrary to many who insist on dwelling in the past and are intent on nothing but selling their neo-revisionism while demanding their pound of flesh....we look forward and offer up potential solutions. Unlike many forums, the blame game isn't tolerated and the goal is to find the elusive road to peace that so many of us seek.

You are invited to our visitors' section to discuss anything that is posted that offends you and to discuss and defend your position.

The foreign minister of Israel is sane. Good.

They are all nuts.

---Everybody who isn`t an Israel basher or an Arab basher is welcome. We only draw the line at those who make personal remarks denigrating others and their beliefs.--- Would the constant assertions on your forum that Arabs are stupid and just dont have "the right stuff" fall under denigrating others? Would your calling those who disagree "some shits you met " fall under personal remarks? Let's not even get into false accusations and proposing solutions to the conflict that are eerily reminiscent of dark days in the history of the Jewish people. Yeah, a real "peace" forum - and a real piece of work.

One would think that there would be "celebrations" in Israel, given they have just been told by their OWN Foreign Minister that Iran is NOT going to "wipe them off the map". BUT, what do we see here by many, "DISSAPOINTMENT". BUT, BE BRAVE, ALL IS NOT LOST: I have it on good authority that Samoa has been buying-up, millions of used smoke-detectors, from which they are extracting the "radioactive" bits. With these they intend to produce a Nuke, which will be delivered on their "nuclear-capable" canoe, with the intention of wiping Israel off the map. SO, HAPPY DAYS, one threat dies and another is born. BTW If EVERYONE loved Israel, the Israelis would be stuffed - no enemies for a country full of "victims".

and I believe Clickfool doesn't lie!!!!!LOL

Iran knows the consequences about a nuclear attack on Israel, but they don't care!!! Ahmadinejad and the Mullahs have already stated that they would sacrifice literally HALF of Iran to destroy Israel. Lets take these guys serious. The only way they can destroy Israel is with nukes. They say they want to destroy Israel. At the same time they say they will sacrifice half of Iran to destroy Israel, then they say they are creating nuclear energy for "energy purposes", haha. The Shia's are wicked evil.

Sorry, Clickfool, but I don't agree with your "prediction". Israel has NEVER really seen Iran as a threat in the "attack" sense. Israel does see them as a "threat" in the "influence in the area", sense. Israel has the desire to "expand" both territorialy and influentially in the ME, Iran poses the biggest threat to these plans. The USA, also has it's "desires" in the ME, all of which are well known. I predict that the Americans/Israelis will "provoke" a reason to attack Iran and will. Not sure as to which one of them will launch the first "retaliation" - "defensive strike". It will happen. Anyone with a grain of perception in them, knows full well that EVERYTHING we are given as reasons, has nothing to do with the real motives. The deterrence factor has NOT changed, Israel/USA know this, so ALL the "booga booga" is simply to frighten the rabble, nothing else! As you say, a big dissapointment to bloodthirsty Zionist posters. My heart bleeds for them!

"The government of Israel and America have been trying to make this "Iran with nukes" into a big threat for their own purposes. That is what really is going on! Bush lies, lies, lies, lies, and LIES!" Thank goodness it's only a year until November 2008 and the cross-eyed twit is gone from the White House before he can make more trouble...just think, if he tries really hard, he may even be able to bring off a strike against Iran before he leaves office! The man is the worst disaster ever to hit America...

"Iran NO Bush is the Problem and wants WW3 to get all the oil. He is using the "nuclear threat" for his own Agenda. He believes if you keep telling lies, people believe them. NOT ME" Not me either, Mark.

Israel is pushing America to attack Iran for Israel's own benefit; to avoid the world condemnation, to avoid the deaths, to avoid everything else. Israel probably thinks that America will do just as it says, but this time it may be different.

"Silvienne, Chavez said Bush was the Devil" Well, Mark, all I can say to this comment is: he certainly looks like him!

Kathy/KATH to Deborah: "Get thee to a doctor pronto before i decide to inject a "Serum" on your derrier.." Do you know, Kathy/KATH, I don't believe you are mentally equipped to "decide" anything, let alone for Deborah. Working in a psych hospital, I see people who write the idiotic things you do behind three-inch glass and a mag-locked door. One patient in particular reminds me so much of you, my dear; when he's off his medication and is given a crayon, he writes on the walls.." I hate you all, you all are silly, you are all stupid"...which brings you to mind, my dear. Now you'll understand why it is such a joy for me to see your posts..reminds me of work, always a beautiful thing. Have a wonderful evening!

What you both claim to be saying all along is exactly what? again!! It would do well that ISrael often uses misdirection to lure its enemies into complacensy. "when you are weak, make yourself look strong. when you are close, appear as though far away. By way of deception we make war. So both you young armchair generals need to read more Suntzu, 10 commandments of red army and Maos little red book to fully understand teh compoexities of what is not being said and why what is being said. Now shuffle off to the book store both of you

The same team that told Bush the Iraq had weapons of mass destruction were hired to advise Olmert on whether Iran had weapons of mass destruction. Od course Israel should launch a premptive nuclear strike now.Before someone proves it is not so.

Had Israel not acted, the invasion of Kuwait would have had a very different ending-CJK Thought that was settled history.You are no longer fantasizing, I can now see it is senility. Your ability to see the future is remarkable. Any chance of peace?

If I was an Israeli I would be worried about Iran, but probably more worried about the country which elects leaders like Livni. Livni and Olmert - how low can you go? Ok, it was even worse with Peretz. Good luck Jewish state - I mean it!

The blunders you quote are very clear, precise, and unquestionable. The UNIFIL deal that allowed Hizballah to grow stronger a year after the war in Lebanon. The Philadelphi route deal that allows Iran to carbe Hamastan out of Gaza. Yes, you are right. But why do you crucify Tzipi Livni for those blunders? They are Olmert's government blunders just as much as Livni's. As for she just being there to stab her boss in the back, you could argue the other way around also.

Both of you are smart people. One of you is a smart a--. But I am really amused this time around how your wishes mold your arguments. Clickfool's "prediction" that this is the start of a U-turn in Israeli propaganda seeing that no attack will come, is as ill-based as Jonathan S.'s reliance on Bush, Chgeney, Sarkozy, Putin and Brown's words. I truly have no idea whether an attack on Iran's nuclear sites will come, but have always been rather inclined to think it won't. I see no clear signal coming either way in these last days, despite Olmert's tour, Putin's visit to Tehran, or Livni's declarations. Jonathan, I disagree that Tzipi Livni is "a person who has shown convulsing disloyalty". She had the courage to challenge Olmert, and to me that was OK even from within the cabinet. Gordon and Blair are an example of the same tenseness.

(Iran) "actually never ha(s attacked anybody)." Ever heard of the Argentineans Jews at AMIA, JJ? Ever heard of the Israeli embassy in Buenos Aires? Ever heard of the Marines in Lebanon and the French military personnel there? Ever heard of Hezballah? Of Hamas? Of Islamic Jihad? Of the Badr Brigades or the Mehdi Army? Your post is truly outrageous.

AIPAC will have to re-configure its odious campaign to push the US into a disastrous bombing of Iran now that a senior member of the Israeli Cabinet has told the truth about Iran's capabilities. Unfortunately, because the US MSM is still cowed by AIPAC, I believe that Livni's important concession will get little media play in the US.

"(In 2003) Iranian support for a 2 state solution, were all put up for discussion." Since Ayatollahs took power, Iran never recognized Israel, and every military parade was made with banners reading "Israel will be destroyed" on their rockets. You call that "Iranian support for a two-state solution"? Iraq was a blunder. Israel is paying the price for the naive failure by many to understand that Iran is the world's biggest state sponsor of terrorism, and a formidable threat not just to Israel, but to Iraq, Lebanon, the Gulf states, Central Asian states, and each and every Arab and Muslim state. It is also a threat to Europe and the West as a whole too. Its rhetoric is not casual. It serves a fanatic, evil ideology that abuses shia Islam to fascist extremes.

Looks like Livni and Condi are both getting the shiv between the ribs - and from behind - at the same time.

I am saying it even to my dear Cipora. Just read the article,and I do not see anything relevant to the Iranian problem. It is the feverishness of the upcoming Annapolis shindig and you are all jumping up and down making mountains out of mole hills. Not so Cipora,who has a cogent reason to pur her view on the subject.A very astute lady is OUR CIPORA...GOD BLESS YOU ..I AM OFF HAVING READ THE ARTICLE.MUST WAIT UNTIL END OF NOVEMBER NOW,AND....**...*

Alicia Just simple deduction and spot on.Rigthton our doorstep too.You have said it,and bang on dear girl...

We thank you and your friends for your suggestions about prospective members and your advice about policy for our peace forum but they fall far short of our intentions. Everybody who isn't an Israel basher or an Arab basher is welcome. We only draw the line at those who make personal remarks denigrating others and their beliefs.

Get thee to a doctor pronto before i decide to inject a "Serum" on your derrier... Minister Livni will do what is best for the country.We may not approve of course,but it doesn't give you the right to give her a Serum....How are the terrorists doing in Londonistan??

I have always wondered why he said this. The WW3/Iran situation answers the question.

Who is responsible for 9/11, Iraq, Torture,Lies, Deceipt, Warmongering? Iran NO Bush is the Problem and wants WW3 to get all the oil. He is using the "nuclear threat" for his own Agenda. He believes if you keep telling lies, people believe them. NOT ME

The government of Israel and America have been trying to make this "Iran with nukes" into a big threat for their own purposes. That is what really is going on! Bush lies, lies, lies, lies, and LIES!

"Can anyone say they have ever seen a post from Margie or her so called fellow peacemakers" I don't know why you even bother with them, Labhras. We all know they have nothing to do with peace. Did you see, in another thread, "Petra" ordering Walid off the talkback, saying Haaretz is for Israelis and Jews only? There's nothing we can say to this sort of thing.... Regards

If you are mad enough to truly believe Ahmadinejad with atomic weapons is not a threat to Israel, will you undertake to suffer the same fate as the jews should you be wrong?

We thank you and your friends for your suggestions about prospective members for our peace forum but they fall far short of our intentions. Everybody who isn't an Israel basher or an Arab basher is welcome. We only draw the line at those who make personal remarks denigrating others and their beliefs.

We thank you and your friends for your suggestions about prospective members for our peace forum but they fall far short of our intentions. Everybody who isn't an Israel basher or an Arab basher is welcome. We only draw the line at those who make personal remarks denigrating others and their beliefs.

Duh! Israel ops people took samples from the equipment at the site. They may note have glowed, but it was radioactive.

So I thought Iwould share it. The reason I don't agree 100% is because you never under estimate your enemies. If not today one day they might be able to send a nuclear arm or provide a dirty one to a terrorist proxy. This might also threaten Turkey.

We thank you and your friends for your suggestions about prospective members for our peace forum but they fall far short of our intentions. Everybody who isn't an Israel basher or an Arab basher is welcome. We only draw the line at those who make personal remarks denigrating others and their beliefs.

Why is Iran (nuclear or otherwise) such a threat to Israel? Iran has quite a few internal and border problems which are far more pressing than far away Israel/Palestine. It may be convenient for their government to "blame Israel" for everything in an attempt to shift focus from their own shortcomings, but most Iranians recognize that this is just talk and is not getting them any closer to resolving their own problems. As for a nuclear armed Iran, the US and Soviet Union went through decades of 'mutually assured destruction' without either side pushing the button. True one bomb could effectively destroy Israel, but I think that it is safe to say that Iran doesn't want to see all of their cities destroyed in retaliation.

There is very little support in the U.S. for a war with Iran. Bush is twisting in the wind and hasn't got a clue.

How have people come to the conclusion that Iran is not a threat? Are you mad? Iran supports Hezbollah- who could get their hands on the nuclear weapons once they are available. Livni is crazy to think that only leaders of Iran could get their hands on nukes. Hezbollah leaders could steal the weapons from Iranian stockpiles and get nuclear codes. This is a huge threat and Livni needs to take it way more seriously if she wants to keep herself and my family alive. For the love of G-d please get your act together Knesset!

According to Livni, an oil rich radical Islamist regime, whose leaders publicly pledged to destroy Israel, poses "little threat" to Israel when armed with nuclear bombs! She is cuckoo. This idiotic comment is yet one more indication that Israel's greatest danger comes from it's governing coalition.

Here is another example of Margie,s hatred for the Palestinian People. Problems with PA hospitals Name: Margie in Tel Aviv City: State: She wrote--- "Another problem is that Palestinians have no respect for hospitals. Fatah and Hamas have been terrorising Shifa hospital patients, shooting their rivals in their hospital beds. The doctors have been on strike because the politicians have been mixing medicine and politics, to the detriment of the patients. Note the blanket accusation.This is proof positive that Margie is a undeniable Racist.For her all Palestinians are running around destroying their hospitals.These statements just roll off her lips with total ease. I bet she viewed all "Bleck Caffers" with the same warm and caring art,Eh.

You wrote----"Your new forum is certainly not very objectionable at all " Does this not show just how little these peaceseekers know about making peace. You wrote---"I believe it to be a reasonable discussion amongst Jews and that is where peace must start: an agreement between all factions as to what is best for Israel." Did you not leave out one faction.Duh?? The enemy. You wrote----"Having Atabs and Arabists and their apologizers is just a distraction." Hell yes.Why make peace with your enemies,when all your friends are willing to afford you all the peace you need,?????. You wrote---"I hope that Margie has learned from her SS experience." Gosh I hope she learned from Her "SA" experience, but I doubt it.Leopards never change their spots.Once a racist always a racist.And of course they say,You are who you hang around with.

It appears that there are two questions being raised here: Is a nuclear Iran a threat to Israel, and what did Livni mean by her statement? My answer to the first question is a definite yes. My answer to the second question is that Livin obviously feels that Israel has other equally pressing issues to deal with that must not be pushed aside by dealing with the Iranian threat. These issues such as fostering relations with moderate Arab states, trying to draw Syria away from Iran and Hezballah, and most importantly, laying the groundwork for an agreement with the Palestinians must not only be solved at any rate, but will also serve to weaken and isolate Iran and help attain the goal of dealing with the Iranian threat. If that is what Livni wished to achieve, than she was correct, but at this time Israel has no statesman or stateswoman capable of dealing with the Iranian threat. That fact is almost as frightening as the threat itself.

Here is an example of a post from another thread.Can anyone say they have ever seen a post from Margie or her so called fellow peacemakers that comes anywhere close to this "genuine" understanding of the "Obstacles" to Peace. I dont count on Margie,s so called peace forum to do anything but "turn what are already Rabid Zionists into even more rabid ones.When they have finished convincing each other, just how pure and just Israel is, will they really be ready for peace. But let them go ahead and waste their time. Yishai Kohen - you and your friends are the vilest of enemies Name: Danny City: State: Israel will one day be at peace with her neighbors, despite resistence to this by Hamas and Islamic Jihad on the Palestinian side, and people like you on the Israeli side. There will come a day when peace-loving people on both sides will send the opponents of peace packing.

To Joe: I read your comment with great interest, admittedly. It would seem logical if this were football, with one team far superior (in scoring) than the other, thus winning the game. However, this is not basketball my friend, this is the reality of the conflict. In the event of an Iranian attack (with 11,000 missiles-they say, 40,000 suicide bombers, cruise type missiles fired from bombers vessels), joined in by Syria's 600,000 troops, hundreds of it's own 700 bc loaded Scuds, Hezbollah and Hamas's arsenals, forays and outright incursions into the Jewish state from all sides, other Arab-Muslim contingents converging as they did in the 67 and 73 wars, the possibility of Egypt and Jordan involvement, not to forget Saudi Arabia, that ratio seems somewhat irrelevant. Look my friend, one nuke getting through will make Israel history. Iran can (as they say themselves) withstand an Israeli nuclear strike and survive, albeit bady hurt. Also, who says Israel has 400 nukes?

So what else is new? Like we didn't know Israel lies out of self interest in order to get the wounded and dying USA to do more of its bidding. Israel seems to think America is its attack dog and the American taxpayers are its lackey. No more war. No more welfare for the apartheid Israel. Let Israel take care of itself. All Americans get from the "special relationship" with Israel is more death, more destruction, more debt. Time to stop. Israel needs to stop being a welfare whore and make it through life any way they please as long as it's on its own.

LET HIM TALK PLEASE.

BECAUSE I AM DRUNK NOW :)

I just got home. I did check haaretz POSTS ! BUT NO ONE DID TALK TO ME ! you could have say : Hi Atilla ! or Hi darling ! or helleo Mr. karagözoğlu or ... .... I JUST HATE WHEN NOONE TALKS ABOUT ME ! OKEY ! I GIVE YOU A FEW HOURS. COME ON ! TELL ME HOW MUCH GREAT MAN I AM :) I wont write who am I * sorry.

It's typical of people like walid and whodey to make wild claims and assertions that are based on nothing but their own desires. We have our own open policies and anybody can take a look and see, contrary to many who insist on dwelling in the past and are intent on nothing but selling their neo-revisionism while demanding their pound of flesh....we look forward and offer up potential solutions. Unlike many forums, the blame game isn't tolerated and the goal is to find the elusive road to peace that so many of us seek.

John, you complained about the presence of all those that are not with Israel. If they were to all disappear one day, what would you guys talk about? If you are adamant about an Arab-free environment, you can join Margie's all Jewish peace forum and you can find her e-mail to apply on post 107.

Israel was looking for a new enemy in the region to keep it's Sugar Daddy (The United States) free flow of aid and arms in route to Israel. Thanks.

How kind of you indeed to put out invitations for us and to attempt to direct our policy. There is honestly no need. We can do that for ourselves. In other words: don't bother.

Bush is an idiot sitting in the White House. He made a mess going into Iraq, doesn't know how to get out, but his ego won't allow him to say that he has failed. So what does he do, he has to divert attention to Iran. This man is the worst president that the American people have had, and he is creating havoc all over the world, to serve himself and his oil buddies. I hope we are smart enough not to fall pray to his desire to destroy all of us in the midst of his craziness.

Rafa: What have you been smoking!! "All it takes is for Iran to have one bomb". Well we have 200 of them. Why should we be afraid of Iran, unless you think they are suicidal! The Mullahs love themselves to much to kill themselves for anyone. Furthermore they are having a great time with the oil money. They have no desire for any disruption of their life style. So get over the propaganda that you have been fed.

Of course she can: If her party line suddenly requires it & her liberal left mentality fully allows it. If Israeli image & the massage of calm requires such particular statement today (tomorrow it may change). If her boss` political aspirations of today, requiring coordinated efforts with his `master`s` change of directions & plans at his desire, vision or simply what he needs to relate to the world today, dominate & trade off the country`s future (someone else problems). What does it mean `today`, when `tomorrow` there may be a different toon. This could be nothing but a calming piss in the wind, on the other hand it could be nation`s future `sell off` for somebody`s present, `all the way up the chain of command`. Not different from far left & `Bush hunters` abusing the present & constantly attempting to `destroy` the future here, for the price of `deranged poll with one head on it`. So far such massage is only useful for spinsters waiting for it. `Tommorow` will tell.

Hallo from Italy. I hope that Israel will bomb Iran's nuclear plants. I'm sorry, my country is not really intrested by islamic danger. But i'm ! I'm a catolic, Israel is my friend, islamic no ! They are a barbaric people without culture. Italy is empty of islamic barbaric people. Please, help my country, learn to a islamic country that is better not be crazy in this world because is dangerous. Bomb it, they will learn a big lesson. God save all the nations with clever government (Livni is not).

So many freaks lurk on this site, jumping from talkback to talkback - one minute Natalie/Joe/Lakshmi/Clicky/Hannah/Indrajaya/etc is commenting on some Rabbinical ruling affecting agriculture and seeing it as foreshadowing the end of Zionism and the next minute they are calling out Zionist conspiracies in the slander of nice, innocent, progressive and peace loving Iranian mullahs. You people are not Jewish and most are not Muslim. You're not living in the region. You're clearly unemployed and attention starved. Isn't there a forum about Robert Mugabe or some other villain you can spend your time with? Lot's of oppressed monks in Myanmar need your help! Please give us a break and lend your brilliant advocacy to some other deserving people for a while.

...do not have a monopoly on stupidity. Some jews even in high positions are very stupid as well. Regards...

Yael; are you talking about the same Livni as the rest of us? What colour spectacles do you use ?

Khomeini said in 1984 that "if Iran has to vanish(VANISH as disappear!), that is NOT important! The important thing is to engulf the world in crises". Le Point, March 12, 1984, number 599, pp.89-90. WHY? "In order to achieve the victory of Islam"! Citation from Khomeini's same speech.

I agree entirely. Additionally, how can the public have any faith in any of them when they obviously care so little for the Jewish people. This is a problem, of course, exacerbated by the crazy party list system ....

The amount of irrationality displayed in so many comments here is enough to make one sick at heart and brain. Ignoring the humanitarian aspects, "taking out" Iran would lead to financial chaos as oil supplies dry up, a disasterous world-wide depression, and a figure pointing (and more) directed at Israel and Jews all over. Concerned about Israel's security if Iran years from now develops a nuclear weapon, it will more likely go bust very quickly if the insanity displayed here leads to bombing Iran. I would be more concerned about Pakistan, and this leads to the point that Israel better come to terms with its neighbors and quickly. Likelihood? Pretty low, with the losers running the Israeli government, and their likely replacement. Pessimistic? Sure, assuming that the majority of commenters here are representative of Israeli attitudes and opinions.

Margie, you have to be congratulated on accepting Gabe as a member in your new peace forum but you forgot to mention that Arabs don't need to apply as it's strictly a Jewish forum. This is very sober indeed. Paul Harris would love it, so would FOX and David T and Efox from New Mexico. We'll help you in getting some more members.

Alicia, I must tell you that the Palestinians would never start a nuclear war with Israel because the two nations would be so close to each other that any nuclear bomb set off in Israel would kill Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza. This is the same reason that Iran would never use an A-bomb againsts Israel. Let?s face it, Iran may want the bomb, but only to defend itself from the threats by the U.S. and Israel.

Mazal tov, Margie. You must be very proud to have earned GABE's approval. I wonder what took him so long, the stuff written on your forum is definitely right up his alley. Yes, I guess Palestinians would just get in the way of "peace", so no Arabs are needed on your site. Much better your morally superior group decides whether to go with forced deportation of the Palestinians, or if putting chemicals into their water supply to make them infertile is the way to go. My, the possibilities are endless...... Nice forum you got going there - and I am sure there are plenty of people here on talkbacks who fit right on there.

Had Mrs. Livni come out with such revelations, prior to her prime minister's shuttle to Moscow, London, and Paris, carrying the Iranian nukes file, she could have saved the expenses of the trip, which the Israeli treasury had to pay. is Mrs. livni going to tell her American counterpart with her new revelations, and save the world from a new major war?

Those of us who don't go looking for war already know the truth anyway. We've seen Israel and America banging the war drums enough times to know when we are hearing outrageous lies. They aren't even inventive, they use the same rhetoric everytime and just move around a few of the words. How long until Livni is taken out by some right-wing warmongering nut for spilling the beans?

The address to apply to is above and the only caveat is that we don't want bashers, Israel bashers or Arab bashers and personal comments. Ad hominem remarks get censored. Too sober for some, I know.

Is this Livni for real? A president of country that says they want to wipe Israel off the map, destroy with one vicious attack, and that if tens of millions of Arabs die to destroy Israel it's worth it? And that it's great to see Jews gather in Israel so they can kill more all at once? A President that claims to talk directly to the 12th Iman and has been appointed to crush all non-Muslims in the world? And this will happen in 1-2 years? And this is not a real threat? How easy to pull a boat up 10 miles offshore and set off a nuclear bomb or shoot a qassam rocket into the general area from a boat or Syria?

Well I certainly wont vote for her in the next election. Livni's comments are incredibly dangerous and damaging. Many, many of us Israelis are sick and tired of the Kadima party. They should have been booted out immediately after the debacle of the last Lebanon War and closed down. That this did not happen is a travesty. In the coming elections, they will be thrashed out of power, and hopefully out of existence.

Gabe, I'm glad you found a new home at the olives place. You will be in good company with peope that think exactly like you that either the Palestinians toe the line and agree with whatever formula Israel imposes on them or its curtains for them. You are right in that you will not find any Arabs at that peace forum to get in the way of a good debate on peace by Jews; who needs Arabs to discuss with anyway?

US is a corporatist plutocracy, and about as close to a rogue State as you can find. Halliburton are truly representative of all that is wrong with US Inc. They got something like $20 Billion last year for work in Iraq,(about 4 times the UN World development budget) all on a Cost plus basis. ie;guaranteed to cover costs and provide a profit on top. None of the contracts were bid for, none require local labour so can be outsourced at will-and to repay the taxpayers of the US, they go and register themselves in Dubai to avoid a hefty US tax bill thus ensuring the US taxpayer makes good the missing billions in tax revenue! And to think Israel is criticised for draining the US of foreign aid!!

"Bush lies all the time. Should we believe a word Bush says? NO" Bush & Co. have raised deceit to an art form, they do it so often...

Iran is still a third world country. "Ahmadinejad is just a talker..with a slippery tongue. But Israel has 300 nulclear heads and bombs and above this, the Israeli lobby controls the American government" Well said, New Yorker. I agree with you completely and have been saying the same thing...

"I have been saying this all along" So have I. The government of Israel and America have been trying to make this "Iran with nukes" into a big threat for their own purposes...

Yes, if Iran continues to conduct itself in such a hateful and medieval manner.

Fact of the matter is, some people don't like to hear the truth, some is afraid of the truth and some gets offended by it, but the truth is...Iran is no threat to Israel nor the United States. It is Israel and the US that threatens Iran constantly; they just want to be left alone. Why can't we do just that?

Bush lies all the time. Should we believe a word Bush says? NO

Logically concluding: the one that has less to lose. I am convinced that when there will be a Pal-state, they will invest the generous Western subsidies in a nuke-plant to build the A-Bomb! Israeli politicians will most likely tell us it is for "peaceful purposes". Iran probably will join the Pals later in the nuclear war, which Iran will let PA start.

How is it not a threat to Israel that a country who is adament about the destruction of Israel is vigorously persuing nuclear capabilities while at the same time increases its verbal hatred towards Israel?? I don't understand why she said that...women in government I guess jk :)

I was just doing a little reading. It seems the Ottomans wanted to have a purist Islamist Empire at the time with no Christian nation like Christian Armenia in between. All these male heads stacked in heaps and in piles. What does that suggest Muslims might have done to Israel in 1948, 1967, and 1973? What does that suggest Iran would do to Israel and beyond with nukes?

Made in Hollywood, or perhaps a bit nearer the East coast? I would hate to spoil your party but try reading this. It is the transcript of an interview with Scott Ritter,former United Nations weapons inspector in Iraq. Last October. http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=06/10/16/144204#transcript If you are even slightly interested by that then try this later interview with Ritter by S.Hersh in Dec of last year. http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=06/12/21/143259 In the above Ritter describes the change in method of analysis by Israeli intelligence which he believes has led to Israel's erroneous assessment vis a vis Iran and the nuclear issue etc. ie; Israel has forgotten the lessons of 1973 and gone back to conceptual based analysis as a basis for forecasting future developments.

National Security Council report said Iran was a decade away from acquiring a nuclear bomb. That time frame could arguably have been significantly longer if Halliburton, whose miltary unit just reported a 284 percent increase in its second quarter profits due to its Iraq reconstruction contracts, was not actively providing the Iranian government with the means to build a nuclear weapon.

ISRAEL DOESNT NEED ENEMY ! YOU ALL ARE HOT SHOT PARLAMENTS, PM'S, PRESIDENT, POLITICIANS !!! talk talk ! talking is free. learn from me. I dont talk too detail. Because I dont know. I just just talk about LOVE or HATE. IF YOU GO LIKE THAT ! I AM SORRY THAT YOU WONT FIND ANY MENTALLY HEALTY LEADER. but ! I am always available for PM ! ONLY A MAD CAN FORCE YOU INTO DICIPLINE ! but ! I must also be chief of IDF too :) ATİLLA KARAGÖZOĞLU

"I believe it to be a reasonable discussion amongst Jews and that is where peace must start: an agreement between all factions as to what is best for Israel. Having Atabs and Arabists and their apologizers is just a distraction." Gabe Congtratulations, Margie, you finally made it! When Gabe tells you that your 'peace forum' is working well and recommends it to others, you must be blushing with pride! Q. Gabe, Margie and Peter - which is the odd one out? A. All three.

hehe Gabe. You just haven't read enough of our forum. There's enough there to enrage you or anyone else with a fixed opinion. The only censorship you will find is against racism as racism or personal comments of the kind found here on Haaretz written by people with no argument to put forward and a lot of malice to use up. A sign that it works is the growing membership.

and there you have it. from the mouth of the israeli FM. if such a high official, in the israeli governmant, has such a belief, then George Bush's WW3 nonsense really needs to be disregarded. if there is one nation that would know about threats..its Israel.

Israel's useful 'existential' threat is not proving so useful after all. Are some nations (Russia/China)growing tired of Americas constant need to invent excuses to dominate the region. If Iran is such a threat, then perhaps the US should have taken up Iran's offer of talks back in 2003, when the Nuclear issue as well as Irans support of Hizbollah and Jihad in the Territories and the prospect of Iranian support for a 2 state solution, were all put up for discussion. However that would have put the US goal of hegemony of the entire region in jeapordy. Which kind of begs the question. Perhaps the US is THE MAIN threat to the region, and hadn't Israel better get out from under their coatails or risk taking the flak for them?

It may be true that Iran has not been the aggressor in any of the recent regional conflicts, but Iran certainly encourages and supports various non-state actors who do use violent means to try to attain their goals. I appreciate that the Iranian people want what is best for their country, and can even respect their choice of government and their desire to be recognized as a regional power. But when that desire for regional influence translates into causing problems for other countries choices (Lebanon, Palestine/Israel, etc.), that is a problem. The president of Iran has stated that he will respect the Palestinians choices in negotiations with Israel. If that is the case, why doesn't he refrain from making additional comments on the situation?

Enough said.

AND TRY TO COOK, CLEAN THE HOUSE AND SEE TV. TAKE OLMERT & CO.WITH YOU TO PLAY CARDS, BUT, PLEASE GO HOME ASAP. ISRAEL HAS NEVER HAD SO STUPID AND CORRUPTED PEOPLE AT THE GOVERNMENT. GO HOME NOW, WE DON'T NEED YOU TO SAY BULLSHIT LIKE THAT.

YOU are very clear sighted INDEED, -right on the money ! -You`ve got a great future !

If she still thinks that today then she is even a bigger fool than I thought.

"We do not worship Iran, we worship Allah. For patriotism is another name for paganism. I say let this land [Iran] burn. I say let this land go up in smoke, provided Islam emerges triumphant in the rest of the world." Ayatollah Khomeini "If a day comes when the world of Islam is duly equipped with the arms Israel has in possession. . . application of an atomic bomb would not leave anything in Israel, but the same thing would just produce damages in the Muslim world." Ayatollah Rafsanjani

In my view, foreign minister Tsipi Livni has NO business whatsoever shooting her mouth off about her personal points of view, (-in a situation like our present one) like she`s done in this article. It creates bewilderment & confusion among many jews and among our international friends, as well as providing -some- comfort & satisfaction to Israel`s enemies. -This is a hard one to grab, for a lot of people !

3 words: Margie, Meretz, Gabe Which one doesn't fit...???

......doesn't want Iran to have the bomb isn't because they believe Iran is a suicide nation that will nuke Israel. It's because Iranian nukes will neutralize Israel's nukes making them unusable, thus all future threats by Israel will ring hollow. No country without the atom bomb can truely consider itself independent. - Charles de Gaulle

Really bravo and many cudos to Livini. She understands that the last thing the Middle East needs now is another catastrophic war, this time against Iran. She fortunately,has not bought into the lies and misinformation that the U.S. Administration has used for its own failures in Iraq. She is far too smart for all of this b.s.!! As for Iran and Israel, I personally believe that they can be the best allies in the region. And I want friendship between both of these countries. Both have much to gain from one anothers' cooperation. As for Iran giving nuclear technology to Hezbullah, you must be kidding. So far they have not given their most sophisticated missiles to them, why would one thing that they would hand over nuclear technology. Just like Livini, the Iranians are also not stupid. We have to work hard to prevent what the Israel Lobby in America and the neocons want which serves their own interest and not that of Israel!! They are giving us a bad name and a reputation!!!

But I am sure she is. The need and earning in Israel among the Left and Kadima is so great that they are prepared to look the other way in order to achieve it. It is almost as if they were in a Trance. Reason just goes out the window. Her conclusion of the Lebanon war with Rice and the UN is but one example of the malady that pervades her thinking.

Your new forum is certainly not very objectionable at all except to Walid, Sh and Bracha. I believe it to be a reasonable discussion amongst Jews and that is where peace must start: an agreement between all factions as to what is best for Israel. Having Atabs and Arabists and their apologizers is just a distraction. I would urge Jewish Haaretz readers and posters to check out that site and present their point of view and hopefully without any censorship. I hope that Margie has learned from her SS experience.

Thank you.

Ex-Mossad chief Ephraim Halevy, and Israel's FM suddenly backtrack on the obvious: Iran is an existential threat to Israel. Why? My guess is that the mantram the Israeli government has used, that Iran is a threat to the whole world, somehow didn't find empathic ears willing to translate that empathy into decisive action. So now the Israeli government wants to "de-Israelize" the Iranian issue, so that Israel itself doesn't get in the way of the world finally realizing Iran's threat and actually doing something about it. It is such a clumsy, sudden U-turn, that I can't help but remember Mel Brook's "Get Smart" TV parody.

If Iran having a nuclear bomb is no big deal for Israel, why should the world continue to bother about it? The fact is, there is a big deal about it and that's why the world is desperately trying to take strong measures to stop it. Livni just speaks to hear the marbles in her head rattle.

This is a personal opinion of one minister in an hipothetical situation. This is also an opinion to gain control over dialogue for personal reasons. This is a half baked story like we've seen many times before in Haaretz. Next time maybe we should just listen to Natalie D the mentor of society.

This is a personal opinion of one minister in an hipothetical situation. This is also an opinion to gain control over dialogue for personal reasons. This is a half baked story like we've seen many times before in Haaretz. Next time maybe we should just listen to

Good respond, Thank you, DAV

I have seen the 'photos' of the Syrian "reactor." Could be, no characteristics of a reactor complex, but it is a building, but it isn't where it was supposed to be. Analysis of reconnaissance photos is an art over 80 years old. The "analysts" we decided that building was a reactor need to find another line of work.

don't you, Haaretz? This wasn't very wise was it? Stupid move by Haaretz, but I don't have to tell you this. You can see it yourselves, just read the talkbacks.

close-up and unflattering photo of Livni. There are many very nice photos of Livni, but they chose this one on purpose. It is a sort of warning sign or implied threat. Livni should ignore this lot and get on with what she thinks should be done at every given moment. She has the info, they don't! She shouldn't let Haaretz bully her around or intimidate her.

Mullahs, and Ajadimijad are puppets. In Iran they are known as IAYATOLLA BBC. The PEOPLE of Iran recognizetheir leadership as forign agents, from the west InfilTRAITORS!. However, they are helpless to rid themselves of their strong hold on them. The Persian people have cried out to the Jews, SAVE US! As We Saved YOU! (from Nebachanedzar, and How our great general, SALADINE ( the Persion Zorastrian of Kurdish-Jewish ancestory) SAVED YOU FROM THER CRUSADERSand PROTECTED JERUSLAIM FOR YOUR RETURN! (as Koran REQUIRES!)

If this is not a threat, then what it is? Livni belongs to the same group as Peretz and Olmert: The Incompentents

The real threat is the continuous support from iran to Syria, Hezbollah and probably Hamas. Nucleair attcks might be far off for now, but a new war is dooming anyhow.

If discussions are held off the record then journalists who are privy to them have promised not to reveal their contents. A liar remains a liar, if he is foresworn or if he reveals something close to the truth, or the opposite of the truth, he is not to be trusted. I remember the 'Jenin massacre'. I remember all sorts of slanders against Israel that infest our newspapers like pernicious insects. So I don't believe the untrustworthy journalist.

There is no threat to any country from us IRANIANS,We do mind OUR own business and hope other countries reciprocate in the same manner.If threatened then WE know how to defend ourselves as anybody else,we may not win the war against powerful enemies, but by GOD we would fight hard for our survival. Thanks.

The question about Livni is of her political and personal strength, but as a statesman with understanding and ideas she is far better than Olmert. Example: She wanted a little Lebanon "operation" which should end soon, not the fiasco we witnessed. After spending weeks of negotiating alone with Abbas and getting nowhere, and without even learning the earlier history of such negotiations, Olmert gave over the task to Livni. Not bad, but probably done for the wrong reason. Livni is not great, she supports the Bush view of a world of "good" and "bad". But her view on Iran shows she is still better than the Master. Iran is not more likely to nuke Israel than the Soviet Union was, simply because that would be the nuclear end of Iran, as long as the West is committed and Israel retains a second strike capability. Once this is clear, the hysteria can calm down and people should start thinking rationally. The drive of Iranian animosity towards Israel is the Palestinian problem. Fix this, and Israel will be much safer. And if Syria is brought in to the Western side and take out of the Iran orbit, the problem of Lebanon and Hizballah would have been solved, with Iran receding beyond the Israeli horizons. In principle, a Pakistani bomb can be more dangerous than an Iranian one. That country is unstable with many al-Qaida supporters. I would encourage Bush to take care of this, along with the Iran prevention.

peoples mind, those who want to scare the public for their own interests.Some Leaders did it and get us Today in a remakable QAGMIRE. We must give credit to President Ahmaddinejad, who do have sence enough and knows fully that he cannot attack(without a NUCLEAR BOMB), countries like US & RUSSIA which have thousands NBombs, UK,FRANCE,CHINA,INDIA/PAKISTAN,ISRAEL which have hundreads, and poor little North Korea's couple of NB. Please Scaremongers, don't think that we are all IDIOTS. Livni shows that she is sensible, and I hope that one day she will make a good PM. IF she does not play politics too.

Livni's comments suggest the Americans have told Israel privately that they will not attack Iran and don't want Israel to do so either. It will be sanctions or nothing. At this point it is very apparent that when Condi Rice tells Livni to jump, Livni asks her how high. If not, Livni has again proved why she cannot be allowed to become PM. Peretz was run out of office for such questionable competence as Livni has shown as FM, but he obviously did not come from the right family background as does Livni.

For all of those that say Livni is wrong, stupid, her claims are baseless, a history of errors, etc., you may wish to read the second paragraph of the article again. Seems E. Halevy, former Mossad chief concurs with her assessment and I doubt he is blissfully blind to threats.

...Livni behind closed doors: Iran nukes pose little threat to Israel... Iran nukes will pose a big threat to Israel terrorism and hegemony upon its neighbours, not a threat to the existence of Israel.

what livni said is about as relevant to reality as peres and beilin !

"Does Zionism mean maddens as well as theft and deception ." Why Sam, you've always known that we Jews - er - Zionists - are thieves and deceivers, because you've read all the anti-Semitic literature available. So why ask unnecessary questions. You have disqualified yourself from serious discussion by stereotyping and stigmatizing all Zionists. Therefore, I will relate to your statements, as I did above, in the manner which they deserve.

I hope Livni is wrong. We need a nuclear armed Iran in order to keep the zionists in check. I applaud the progress Iran is making to acquire nuclear weapons. I gave up my job to write anti-Israel articles all day, because attacking Israel is the most noble goal of humanity

It is the position of the US President and the US Vice President. It is the position of the French President. It is the position of the Russian President. Even the British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said on Monday he would not rule out military action against Iran. Now comes Tzipi Livni who has a catastrophic record of failure as FM and Haaretz with a story which is clearly intended for consumption in Israeli interior policies. Is it at all relevant what a person who has shown convulsing disloyalty on many occasions was saying months ago behind closed doors? The dangers involved go much further than Israeli security interests. The attempts by Syria to produce a dirty nuclear bomb have just shown how dangerous nuclear mullahs would be for the entire world. Therefore Iran, despite all the big help from Europe, will not get nuclear weapons.

Mr. Zuckerman, Perhaps Ms. Livni suffers from the condition you suggest. Or, just maybe, she knows how to count. The number of atom bombs held by is Israel is a secret. But the estimates by expert analysts range from a from 100 to 500, with 300 number I've seen most often. And, in one of Dr. Chompski's grim tomes, if I recall correctly, Israel has had a two stage missile, capable of carrying multi-ton pay load anywhere in Europe (hence anywhere from Rabat to Islamabad) since the 70's. Even if the mullahs had Hizbollah hand carry the bomb to T-V., every Persian city would be ash and dust by sundown. Perhaps your question should be are the Persians dumb? Averaged over the last 3K years, the school solution is "no". I'll bet you $10, even money, that Israel "unofficially denies" that it has an H bomb before Iran has it 2nd A bomb. When it comes to the physics and engineering of "nukes", it doesn't pay to bet against the Ashkanzi (e.g. Teller, Ulam, Sacheov).

Just as well that the doors open from time to time.... In any event, hark to Google Earth....

Well,Maddam. I have n't heart any Israeli politican like her who give a good signal and a go head green light for Iran Nuclear bomb. I do n't know where your original country is from but it is clear to me that you are leading them (The Iranian gov.) to the next Hollocost WW3. where every arab are ready to lounch war and eras Isreal from the Map. You are the defence minister and should have to know batter. Have you forgot the Saddams missiale that landed in J-sal and trust me this time Iran with neucler bomb will not walit one day to lounch to Isreal. We have to stop by any means any treat that comes from Iran. Israel has already to the north Hizzbulla who are now armed to their teeth with lastes weapons deleverd from Iran. Do not wait to UN or any othe to save Israel, you are your own. Action first and then negotate later.

As much as I'd like to see the iranian threat disappear she can't wish it away. The new Nuclear manager is a mahdi (messianic)islamic believer and any button on the weapon is the decision of their religious ayatollah.

If there is no serious threat why are American jews and Israelis lobbying in DC? No need to find an excuse to start a war by warsome Israelis and Americans! No nuclear weapon was found in Iraq, but it was invaded! OIL is a good reason! As I said earlier Terrorists and terrorsits breeder are in the White House, others such as Ahmadinnejad are apprentices! We haven't forgotten who brought up Bin Laden!

Israel may conceivably be able to deal with a nuclear Iran, but if Iran goes nuclear so will everyone else and the int'l community (such as it is) will be faced with a harrowingly destabilizing nuclear arms race the world over

they think need punishing or at least need a spanking. A few days ago they were blaming her for not employing enough women at the Foreign office, and by proxy of feminist organizations, that she is not concerned for woman's rights, and now they are trying to provoke a dispute between Olmert and Livni. In short when Haaretz and leftists think that Israel isn't leaving J&S fast enough (no matter the consequences) they try to make the politicians lives a misery.

ms. livni. with all due respect, why put on the open the "dirty linen of politics"? it beats me --everyone should know that in politics --internal or external some get invited to decision making meetings -- others are left out. the ideal is worked out by "insiders" and not open to public scrutiny. whether or not livni does attend meetings on a weekly basis...is none of the public business and so do other points mentioned -- as long as livni remains livni ideal to her beliefs and the job she is carrying.voila.

Can the world countenance an Iran with a full nuclear programme? In that I mean a nuclear programme which provides power for it's population and the by products to make a nuclear device. The simple answer is no, of course, and the fact the world did offer Iran the facility to generate electricity using nuclear power means that the Iranian nuclear programme must be met with suspicion. However the decision the world has to make is what next? Olmert said in London that Iran has crossed the redline. In which case military action will only delay not halt Irans goals. Sanctions will only work if the whole world takes part and that is problematical, because of Iran's oil as we saw in Iraq in the 90's. So the only realistic option is regime change and because of Iraq that is not an option militarily. In short it is a mess.

...Sharon probably never imagined that Olmert and Livni would take his position. He just wanted 'yes' men, and women, who were, yes, morons. Now Livni's rise was all about nepotism. Her father was a big mucky muck so she got to be a "brave" Mossad agent, "on the front line". I am quite certain the only job she would have qualified for was video operator documenting terrorist hits. Please tell me what else The Mossad could use her for. And Olmert...I wonder how far back he and Sharon agreed on these "painful concessions", while at the same time, they lied their asses off to their loyal heroic constituency.

Before OSlo, the Left pretended that a Palestinian state will never be a theat to Israel and now, they pretend that a nuclear Iran will never be a threat. Same Left, same lies, same wishful thinking, same blindness.

Should Olmert be indicted, his female Brutus would probably replace him. It would really be a big threat for the security of Israel because Livni committed one blunder after the other from her stupid negotiations leading to the UNIFIL hoax destroying everything Israel gained on the battlefield (thanks to Livni Hizbullah is today stronger than ever) to the leaving of the Philadelphi Road enabling Iran to make Hamastan out of Gaza. Israel is preparing for many years for a showdown with Iran, this has nothing to do with Olmert. But Haaretz wants apparently to bring Livni in the foreground to replace Olmert in the hope she might be ready to still more foolish concessions to the Palestinians. Livni until now has shown that she is a very bad FM indeed and that her main reason of existence is waiting to stab the PM in the back.

country's shenanigans.If they are not waging incremental war against the Occupied population,making their lives intolerable,stealing their land& resources,destroying the land,they are setting up straw men to divert attention.No one is fooled by this.Iran is a sovereign country and signatory to the NPT.They have satisfied IAEA's criteria.They have a right to develop their nuclear energy & if necessary nuclear weapons without the u.s.-israel cabal bullying them,bad mouthing them etc.Why not start weapons proliferation with the world's Terrorist,the U.S.of A ? and in the ME the little(or not so little!)terrorist state of israel!

She has a sound and clear mind. Tzipi and Ehud will lead Israel to a safe future.

Iranians would never be able to send a nuke to Israel, even if they were to produce one. This said, I would be happy to see the end of the mollah regime and the end of the iranian nuclear activity.

Iran is still a third world country. Ahmadinejad is just a talker..with a slippery tongue. But Israel has 300 nulclear heads and bombs and above this, the Israeli lobby controls the American government. So who is a threat to whom?

her long ago predecessor golda meir. vorba -argentum silentiae -aurum. speaking more than required is not an attribute of a foreign minister.

Well of course Iran poses an existential threat to Israel. Didn't we learn in math class 4 is greater than 400. Only in Zion everything is turned upside down, up is down and down is up. Israel is the biggest threat to this region. Israel has waged endless wars against its neighbors and continues to occupy land and colonize it illegally but let's not bother with facts. The folks in Zion say Iran is the threat? A nation that has not attacked anyone or occupies their land. A nation that signed the NPT and accepts intrusive inspections. A nation that has announced to ad nauseam they seek only peaceful nuclear power. Yet, the UN violating, NPT rejecting, land stealing, people oppressing, war mongering nuclear state of Israel we are to believe poses no threat and we are to believe what they say regarding Iran? Give me a break!! That's chutzpah on crack!!

Livni is one of the few politicians who means what she says and says what she means. She has a deep and abiding love for her country and places it above her own aspirations. Unlike Olmert, Barak, Bibi, and Ayalon she doesn't change with the winds of personal opportunity but acts her conscience. She is pragmatic and focused and well-respected abroad, making her an excellent representative for our country. I've shifted from the left to the center-right as a result of her clear and cogent reasoning on a broad swath of issues but most specifically vis a vis the Israeli-Palestinian situation and the situation with Lebanon. She's got my full backing and is, indeed, the only politician in this country that I do not feel cynicism about. Go Livni!

Livni should keep her mouth shut, like a good trooper, and remember the old saying that loose lips sink ships, in this case the pretext that Iran threatens Israel. The world knows the bomb Iran crowd will conjure up any rationale at all to neutralize that country and deliver it up to the West as a cooked goose. Livni's unintended honesty is not at all revealing, but just another misstep in the bumbling circus known as the Israeli government.

We have to rely on our historical memory. Israel took out Iraq's nuclear reactor precisely because she felt that a nuclear weapon in the hand's of Saddam was an existential threat. Had Israel not acted, the invasion of Kuwait would have had a very different ending. Nor should we forget the scuds fired against Israel by Saddam during that war, even though Israel was not envolved in any way. Today, we have Iran, led by an extreme, fanatical regime, which has declared on numerous occasions that it wants to destroy Israel. Iran is in fact Israel's most dangerous enemy since it arms, trains and funds all the terror groups on Israel's borders, and has a defense treaty with Syria. Iran is without doubt an existential threat to Israel.

I have been saying this all along.

"Iran nukes pose little threat to Israel" Some time ago I predicted that when Israel realised that there would be no US attack on Iran on its behalf the propaganda would change, and we would start to hear its politicos tell the public that deterrence works, and that Israel is safe from nuclear attack. This is the start of it. Israel has accepted that there will be no attack on Iran, which will be a disappointment to some of the posters on Talkback.

Miracles never cease! Kudos for Livni.

Despite all the existential threats that face Israel, none concern me more than the the threat posed by the Israeli government. A foreign minister who doesn't think that a nuclear bomb in the hands of a leader who calls for Israel's destruction on a daily basis does not pose much of a threat, is most likely not qualified for the job. Pity that all those people voted for Kadima.

She should correct her statement, because USA and Israel are seeking a new war, and a little threat is not a good excuse!

This article, if accurate, points out the flaws in Israeli government. I am aware that the former P.M., often times on US TV, contradicted Sharon, much to my dismay and shock. I mean, the F.M. serves at the behest of the P.M. Both MUST be on the same track. There should be no problem at this level of open and frank discussions between the two..whenever needed. As far as Iran, once it gets tens of thousands of centrifuges working, it will manufacture in the double digits, those nukes. Only one has to get through Israel's defenses, to make the Jewish experiment history. Israel might retaliate, but the damage will have been done. Livni's remarkes are typical of her..naive and foolish. Livni is no Golda.

Iran has made allot of noise about its program but until now it has failed to produce nuclear fuel for its bushair nuclear reactor let alone to produce the bomb, the IAEA is watching them and they know that. I believe the next election in IRAN, USA and Israel will bring more since able politicians in office.

My respect for Mrs. Livni for having the courage to (publicly) express her own view of things. However, I'm afraid she will be tared and feathered tomorrow by Israels political esta- blishment. Because if you really wanna make your case to the rest of the world, you better show (at least publicly) that your governement is united on such a question of life and death. Otherwise, people might ask themselves, if there is no real danger, why are Israeli politicians lobbying for a war with Iran in Washington D.C....??? By the way, Tod Zuckerman, Mrs.Livni is defi- nitely not looking dumb, she is quite pretty.

threat of seeking nuclear technology for military purposes and posing a serious threat to Israel and neighbouring countries. However, the key issue is that whatever the intentions of Iran, the world community must continue to challenge Iran on transperancy of its program, military involvement in the region and stance towards Israel's existence and the peace process.

This reveal Israel's true intentions - to remain the sole nuclear power in the region.

She has a great smile and not too much brains.. Photo ops with Rice are her forte---How many times does ahMADinejad have to threaten to wipe Israel off the map, before she gets it in her skull that the guy is serious??

There is no way for Livni to know that the Iranians are just putting on a show. It may in fact turn out that they do intend on "wiping Israel off the map", just like they always promise. What is Livni going to say then, assuming she is still alive? I remember this kind of talk before 1973. Most "experts" had reached a consensus that the Arabs would never have the guts to attack. That kind of thinking cost thousands of Jewish lives. Mistakes like that in the future may very well cost millions of lives.

or the Washington post? What does what Bush have to say have to do with Israel?

Livni OK with the mullahs getting nuclear weapons ? Jeez, when did Israel begin to require that its leaders be morons.

Livni says Iran's nuclear is not a threat to Israel. If you review Hezbollah's rocket performance against Israel, it was quite damaging to Israel. So, it is not wise to understate what Iran has or may have. Persians are bright people. Livni is copying Olmert with stupid remarks about Iran. She also signed on to a giveaway to the arabs in return for their commitment to live normally in a state of their own. At this stage, they are incapable of it.Why wouldn't she argue to keep 20% of the West bank disputed territory.Why does almost everyone believe in returning 100% if it?

It is very hard to tell the truth. Livni has said that the Iranian bomb preparation cannot be ignored, when speaking at the United Nations. I think it would be better journalism to say that Livni has said different things at different times, but that nuanced a statement would not make good headlines. So it becomes a matter of goals: Livni says the bomb is very, very bad when speaking at the UN to gain their attention and action, and says that the Iranian bomb is not an existential threat when she wants to forestall action by Israel against that threat. That is the shock and awe of the marketing of political policy.

Commotion all the way . The world would be a lot more peaceful if Livin and her troublesome Zionist gangs just disappeared from the scenes . One day Iran is this, the next day Iran is that , one day Syria is this , the next day Syria is that , one day the Pals are this , the next day the Pals are that and so on and so forth . Rob this land and rob that land, attack this country and attack that country. You think this world has nothing else to worry about except the moaning and groaning of those Zionist gangs . Does Zionism mean maddens as well as theft and deception . The world have had enough of you , enough is enough . why would not miss Livin pack her suit case and return to her ancestral home land in Poland where her late terrorist father and terrorist mother came from, and the same goes to the rest of those Zionist thieves in Palestine , and hand over the keys of those stolen houses to their indigenous inhabitants the Pals, and those who want to live peacefully and harmoniously with their Pals brothers and sisters can of course do so. It is about time that reactionary troublesome Zionism is dead . Shalom/Peace

be like the rest of them!

Those who take Iran's nuke threat lightly are either sleeping or naive. They are also not knowledgeable with the dangers of Islamist-Jihadism and the serious implications of a fanatical Islamist-Jihadist regime having nukes. And they are putting the nation in jeopardy which could lead to repeating the mistake of not being prepared as was in the Yom Kippur War of 1973. With a Mushroom Cloud, there is NO second chance for survival. If fanatical Islamist-Jihadists could kill themselves to cause massive deaths and destructions in America on 9/11, they could also commit the same carnage using nukes when they possess such tools. Hence, never take the threats of fanatical Islamist-Jihadist entities, regimes, and states lightly.

Bush lies all the time. One day diplomacy, the next World War 3.

What will it be next week?

Despite their inflexible and extreme ideology, the mulla's in Iran are aware of the consequences of an attack on Israel. So even if they got the bomb, they will not attack anybody. They actually never have.

The problem isn't Iran or any other country within reach of our own weapons- as long as we have a return address for an atomic attack, we are OK. But what if the technology is funneled to Hezbollah? We MUST have a strict policy that any attack by a proxy is an attack by the sponsor, to be returned in kind. Then, Iran will fear letting the technology out of its own control.

Israel is a country where each politician only takes care of number 1. Why should she trust Olmert? Why should Olmert trust her? Who trusts anyone in that madhouse called the Israeli government? And now they're off to Annapolis.

I think I have read in Haaretz, that Israel concern is not whether Iran has or not the bomb, but the technology to develop nuclear weapons. The former is a concern of the US