Haaretz WikiLeaks exclusive / Netanyahu agreed to join Olmert's government if Israel attacked Iran
In 2007, Netanyahu said he would agree to join Ehud Olmert's government if Israel attacked Iran, a WikiLeaks document shows.
By Ofer Aderet and Yossi Melman Tags: Israel news Benjamin Netanyahu Iran Ehud OlmertPrime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed willingness to join Ehud Olmert's government in 2007 if Israel initiated an attack on Iran, a document from the Israeli WikiLeaks collection has revealed.
On July 20, 2007, Marc J. Sievers, the political counselor at the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv, sent a telegram to the State Department in Washington on the matter. The telegram was classified "Confidential," the level between "Unclassified" and "Secret."
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Ehud Olmert and Benjamin Netanyahu, March 31, 2009. |
| Photo by: AP |
Sievers' message dealt with the formation of a new Israeli government and was written on the eve of the release of the state comptroller's report on the Second Lebanon War, a year after it started. Ehud Olmert was still prime minister and headed the Kadima party. The Labor Party was his senior partner in the ruling coalition. Two days before Sievers sent his message, Defense Minister Amir Peretz, the head of Labor, resigned as defense minister and deputy prime minister.
Part of the telegram was devoted to the possibility of the establishment of a national unity government, in which the Likud Party would join Kadima, with Olmert as prime minister.
One of Netanyahu's advisers, whose name was not revealed in the message, spoke with American officials on the matter. "The adviser commented that the possibility of a national unity government, bruited in the press, is a possibility, but only if Olmert initiated such a move in order to galvanize Israel for action against Iran. He said that in such a scenario, Netanyahu would probably accept an offer of the Foreign Ministry," wrote Sievers.
This was the second time Netanyahu expressed willingness to support the prime minister if he initiated an attack against Iran. In the summer of 2005, Netanyahu resigned as finance minister in Ariel Sharon's cabinet over the Gaza disengagement plan. In December that year, Sharon left the Likud and founded Kadima. At the time, Netanyahu told Sharon he would "support him if he acted against Iran before the elections," reported Aluf Benn in Haaretz two years ago.
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FROM THE ABOVE NEWS, IT'S EVIDENT THAT THE CITIZENS OF EACH & EVERY COUNTRY WANTS TO LIVE IN PEACE WITH ONE ANOTHER. IT IS ONLY THE "BLOODY POLITICIANS" & THE LEADERS OF DIFFERENT COUNTRIES WHO ADOPT CONFRONTATION ATTITUDES TOWARDS OTHER COUNTRIES & TO DESTROY THE "PEACE" IN THE REGION. GOD & ALLAH'S CURSE ON ALL THESE "BLOODY, DIRTY, SCHEMING POLITICIANS", AMEN.
I have written net assessments of the Middle Eastern military balance for International Defense Review and the Janes Intelligence Review. The irrefutable fact is that Israel is a regional military super power. The ISAF can generate about 700 daily fast jet sorties vs Iran plus another 1,200 daily simultaneously vs Gaza, Lebanon and Syria. The ISAF can deliver thousands of PGMs every 24 hours! The IDF can mobilize at least 15 Divisions within 96 hours and 18 within 21 days. By comparison to the IDFs 100-130 tank battalions the US could mobilize 30, not one of which is today fully combat ready. Israel could reduce Iran to an immobile military pygmy within 5 days, devoid of POL or electrical power. Its large army and coastal naval forces are irrelevant in a conflict with Israel. The IDF could capture Gaza while simultaneously over running much of Lebanon or Syria within 8-12 days. I know this, US intelligence knows this, the Israeli General Staff knows this, but apparently the Israeli Government does not. Netanyahu has consistently down played Israeli capability, once directly to my face. Then, as now, I wondered whether he was trying to deceive me, or he had been deceived himself by his advisors, as he had in the past. Meanwhile, while he dithers the centrifuges spin!
Likud must have the most extreme right-wing foreign minister in the entire history of the state of Israel. An unwanted obstacle to peace that bolsters Netanyahu's innate right-wing sympathies. That's the problem with Israeli coalitions, they're controlled at every step by extremists who have a narrow focus of self-interest, and often self aggrandisement, that damages the long-term interests of both the state and the diaspora.
the damage Netanyahu can cause is greater then the threat from Iran. Just look what he's done in the last few years
No one needs it more than Iran.
i don't think Israel's best experts can predict how Iran will retaliate and what the effects and consequences is going to be or how many Iranian or Israelis civilians might get killed in the process,
they deserve the Nobel Peace Prize, just like Obama
Thought they could get the US in another prolonged Middle East conflict. Both thought that Iran would be easier for the US than Iraq. Neither cared or currently cares one whit about the US or Iranian casualties that might ensue. So far, no war with Iran by the USA. Israel has lost no troops or civilians to Iran and Iran has lost none to Israel, at least officially. Bush refused to be Olmert's tool and Obama refuses to be Netanyahu's tool, at least with respect to Iran. When it comes to Palestinians, however, Jerusalem sets US policy, not DC.
If one day an Israeli pol tells a US diplomat one thing and the next day, some other Israeli pol says something different, both get reported to DC and if they are mutually divergent, it reflects the state of Israeli policy.
Likiweaks is the messenger; your comments should have been directed at the persons actually authoring the material.
He understands that it would take combined nations to subdue Iran and Israel can't go it alone. The other reason is that Iran has a lot of internal problems and may very well fall on iys own. Iran and A-jad will simply have to be ridden out.
that Netanyahu wanted Olmert to attack Iran, yet when Netanuyahu has the power to order such an attack he seems to baulk at the idea. Probably been told in no uncertain terms by hos paymasters in the UNited States the consequences of Israel doing so.
??? its the anti-christ...
He is only asking for assurances his planes won't get shot down by US while crossing Iraq's airspace. Sadly the Bambi ,an ally of Mullahs is threatening with just that.
THE WEST MUST NOT WAIT FOR ANOTHER 911 IRAN MUST BE HIT ITS GOING TO BE SOONER OR LATER
so why are you advocating a terrorist strike on them?
He's always urging the US to attack them too. Now, if Israelis had any common sense, they urge him to go in and do it himself. It would be good if, for once in his life, he put his money where his mouth is
His fixation is kinda hard to miss
All pros, cons, and hidden agendas aside, I think we know Olmert at least considered such an operation seriously enough to figure out the logistical needs - overflight rights, refueling assistance, bunker busters. I think he was serious, I remember being surprised how strongly GWB balked at the idea and how loudly he warned Olmert off. Thankfully, GWB had enough bad guys on his plate already, and had finally learned not to start fiasco after fiasco he could not finish. As for Bibi's intent - he probably saw political opportunity. But if everything the press and politicians say is true, he may have sought an Iran mission for more noble reasons. Take your pick: is Iran just the margarine-evil enemy Israel always needs to justify a hawkish stance, or the true evil which is funding Hamas, Hezbollah, and all subversive acts against Israel. Remembering how Iraq was painted as the latter, I'm not so sure. But somebody's surely paying to arm Gaza and Lebanon.
It makes it seem like he was being gung ho when he was saying he would join out of national unity. The proof is in the fact that he has been in power for two years and no war with iran. The media is out to take bibi down I have never seen more misdirected taken out of context stories against any politician ever.
Netanyahu has a lot of support so does Olmert ..it is 1 country gentlemen the need is there to keep it safe, financially stable indipendent and free of crime as much as possible. Perhaps there is something they both agree on.. it is not about egos it is about country.
Amazing! This digital world. No more secrets. Ha. The emperor has no clothes!
Rammer is wrong, just trying to soft pedal this news. Netanyahu is a danger to Israel, the US, and the world. Obama has apparently blocked him.
foolishly getting NATO involved, sticking Western Democracies into a civil war in Libya.. Then, Obama gets "cold fet and transfers the NATO Coalition command to ex Colinila Powers of UK and France. Deception and lies are the clear here. A No-Fly_zone Manadate completes one sides airofrce in Libya. Thats the UN mandate. Then thew tanks and heavy guns of Gadafi s army got wings and were flying. So over 100 NATO Jets bomb the tanks with Wings. All along the laying Obama and his sidekick Hillary Clinton keep on blubbing about "Gaddafi must Go" Talking about taking out hot charcoal fromacts gainst Libyan Government . Gaddafi is not my leader of choice but its up to Libyan people to do it. Taking sides in a civil triball war in Libya is plain stupud and cynical. Cynical because at the same time Syrian Assads killing by now, 866 protesters, ignoring Yemens hundreds of protesters killed by Sllah Presidents security firce and a brutal suppression of protest in Bahrain is pure hypocriciy. Yes He Obama) Can...Lie like George "W" Bush
nowadays,it does not make sense to keep it...it has literally become a group lead by the US where the other nations are just vassals...so enough of this bullshit. NATO or UA army is the same command....i want my country out of this group of warmongers...
Sorry, they never mention the word "Israel", only "Zionist Regime", which is by itself anti-semitic.
Netanyahu is chief honcho so if he wants war with Iran he can so make it happen. Who can stop him? His cabinet and the knesset certainly would't object.
Common sense says that Iran is an enemy of Israel. Common sense says that Iran is developing nuclear weapons. Common sense says that Iran might use nuclear weapons against Israel. Common sense says that Israel should prevent Iran from getting nukes. The lack of common sense only lets you survive if you are a rich country in Western Europe or North America.
...is common sense in israel .... drowned as it has been by greed and a blinding arrogance.
will deprive Iran any pretext to strive for nukes.
like "..you are a blood thirsty paranoid barbarian living w/a bronze age mentality .." This tactics has been in use since The The Stone Age is a broad prehistoric period, lasting about 2.5 million years (Ma), during which humans and their predecessor species in the genus Homo, widely used exclusively stone as their hard material in the manufacture of implements with a sharp edge, If one disagreed with an opponent the stonned him/her to detah. Now homo Sapiens progressed except that some hold outs like the writer of the post reverts to name calling. bloodthirsty paranoid,barbarian, living in w/a bronze age mentality..Add to it the most modern name colling terms used by Jew hating Brigade led by Natallie Durson, Tony Silver, Bloody Scott:" Latest verbal munition bank: Zionist, Land graber, tief, Fascist, Apartheid, Settler, Child killers, murderes, Zionist entity, Jews Rule the World . Such opinoins are dignified by such opinion leaders like Theodorakis a composed nice music and anti semitic ideas.. also said in the interview on Greece’s High channel that “everything that happens today in the world has to do with the Zionists.” He added that “American Jews are behind the world economic crisis that has hit Greece also.”
Then, Iran would be in charge and that's not gonna happen, folks, Obama or no Obama.
Olmert was trying to get the US to do it...and Netanyahu was trying to get Olmert to do it. In both cases, the motives were probably about the same.
Crumbs of irresponsibility have been left by Netanyahu throughout his political life. Fortunately there have been people with common sense to offset Bibi's zealotry.
As though both Olmert or Netanyahu would have indulged in such a grand step ..Attacking Iran.. The only thing I would assume what by what Wikileaks are now publishing(about BB urging Olmert ) could it have been BB trying to oust Olmert,,and replace him.. Unadulterated political ambition is what I deduce from this latest.. nothing more sinister..
Was Siever present at the meetings in which these revelations were made, or is it second hand reporting? And this is only one of the problems with these leaks. They do not make clear if the author of the cable was actually a witness to the event. Another problem is the context. Were these remarks made over coffee, over drinks when every body was a bit in his cups, or in a business meeting. All this report says is that an unnamed advisor spoke to American officials about Netanyahu’s willingness to join the cabinet if Olmert initiated moves “to galvanize Israel for action against Iran.” According to the earlier report by Aluf Benn, the wording was to "support him [Sharon] if he acted against Iran before the elections.” These words fall in the vast grey area between no action and launching war. They probably merely intended to sound off the Americans on how far they were willing to go against Iran. They certainly do not mean that Netanyahu had in mind the unilateral bombing of Iran.
"Action" = "attack"??
If this is true, and Israel doesn't want to be led by a psychopath, Bibi will be forced to resign. What a telling fact that Bibi is now seen as the moderate holding off Lieberman.
And have not said anything to promote the idea is because once you unleash such an attack the consequences would not be easy,but DIRE..I do however wish someone should try..The Saudis have been getting jittery about Iranian's power base that is going to hurt Saudi Arabia...You know Iran is one of the greatest danger to the whole ME and beyond.. But why bring this silly old subject is beyond me.. Oh we know it is just the Wikileaks who are persistent in continuing to spread their propaganda.. Could it be ,the drip,drip coming from them that they are running out of ideas ..Who knows..
Easy, cause Iran has none! That's first. Then, they've been murdering all Iranian physicists right and left. Maybe they figure that's more fun and cheaper.
Continue in your dreams.... Your what criteria are you using to measure your capacity here. Of course Israel has never had any capacity since 1948, yet it has never lost any single war objectively. Tell us one single war that Israel has ever lost objectively since 1948..?
Of course Israel has never done it alone. The only time Israel tried to do it alone was in 1973 around October & the initial results were disaster. But when Israel engaged the partner (G-d), the waves changed and a new proverb was concieved just before the end of this war (50 miles to Cairo and 30 miles to Damascus)
It would be a nightmare of consequences. The 70.000 missiles amassed by hezballah, Hamas, et al, would be hitting the home front, terror attacks, Iranian intercointinental missiles would perhaps make it into Israel, with or without unconventional heads... you name it. The Israeli home front must be sealed before the thought of trying to knock-out Iran's key components of its nuclear weapons' programme can even be entertained.
Israel already destroyed 2 nuclear plants by HERSELF.
how old are you, 12?
He is bad not only for the region, he is bad for entire humanity and entire world. Sorry to say but israel has neither any statesman nor a good leader.
Better my BiBi than your Arafat or your wolf (Abbas) in a sheep's skin. Bibi is just the right kind of Leader Israel needed in 2009. Now his time is up. Leabemann should be ready to take on the mantle, then pass it on to Moshe Feiglin and on and on till it goes back to the neo Kahanists. Go Israel Go!!!
we love Bibi and Lieberman. Glad you don't ,that means their both doing an excellent job.
Have you never heard of a little thing which happened in 1812, and another thing which happened in 1941?
Have you ever heard of a little thing that happened in 1981? When Israel took out Sadaam's reactors? Round 2 would be induce an identical flawless result.
Or do you think Israel plans to March into Iran like Alexander the Great?