Mossad chief: Nuclear Iran not necessarily existential threat to Israel
Tamir Pardo says Israel using various means to foil Iran's nuclear program, but if Iran actually obtained nuclear weapons, it would not mean destruction of Israel.
By Barak Ravid Tags: Iran Iran nuclear Benjamin NetanyahuA nuclear-armed Iran wouldn't necessarily constitute a threat to Israel's continued existence, Mossad chief Tamir Pardo reportedly hinted earlier this week.
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A Shahab missile. Even a hundred of them wouldn’t bring Israel down, one reckless voice said. |
| Photo by: Reuters |
On Tuesday evening, Pardo addressed an audience of about 100 Israeli ambassadors. According to three ambassadors present at the briefing, the intelligence chief said that Israel was using various means to foil Iran's nuclear program and would continue to do so, but if Iran actually obtained nuclear weapons, it would not mean the destruction of the State of Israel.
"What is the significance of the term existential threat?" the ambassadors quoted Pardo as asking. "Does Iran pose a threat to Israel? Absolutely. But if one said a nuclear bomb in Iranian hands was an existential threat, that would mean that we would have to close up shop and go home. That's not the situation. The term existential threat is used too freely."
The ambassadors said Pardo did not comment on the possibility of an Israeli military assault on Iran.
"But what was clearly implied by his remarks is that he doesn't think a nuclear Iran is an existential threat to Israel," one of the envoys said.
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Tamir Pardo |
| Photo by: Moti Milrod |
Pardo's remarks follow lively a public debate in recent months over a possible Israeli attack on Iran's nuclear facilities. One of the figures at the center of this public debate has been Pardo's predecessor as Mossad chief, Meir Dagan. Dagan has argued that Israel should only resort to military force "when the knife is at its throat and begins to cut into the flesh." He has also criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak, accusing them of pushing for an Israeli attack on Iran, and warned that such an assault would have disastrous consequences.
For the past several years, Netanyahu has characterized a nuclear Iran as an existential threat to Israel. The prime minister has even compared Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to Adolf Hitler and argued that Iran should be treated as Nazi Germany should have been dealt with in 1938, just before World War II. In contrast, Barak said in April 2010 that Iran "was not an existential threat at the moment," but warned that it could become one in the future.
In the cabinet, Netanyahu and Barak have been the leading proponents of a preemptive strike on Iran's nuclear facilities. So far, however, they have not managed to convince a majority of either the "octet" forum of eight senior ministers or the diplomatic-security cabinet to support their position.
In related news, The Daily Beast website reported yesterday about one aspect of the disagreement between Israel and the United States on the Iranian nuclear issue. It said that Washington and Jerusalem are discussing "red lines" for Iran's nuclear project that, if crossed, would justify a preemptive strike on the nuclear facilities.
The website's defense reporter, Eli Lake, wrote that Israel's ambassador to Washington, Michael Oren, lodged an official protest with the American administration following a speech a few weeks ago by U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta at the Saban Forum, in which the American defense chief warned of the consequences of an attack on Iran. The Daily Beast reported that Panetta's remarks infuriated the Israel government and that Oren was directed to lodge the protest.
A short time later, the White House conveyed a message of reassurance to Israel that the Obama administration has its own red lines for attacking Iran, so there is no need for Israel to act unilaterally. The Israeli protest was also followed by a shift in Panetta's rhetoric: In an interview with the American television network CBS, Panetta said the United States would not take any option off the table with regard to preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.
The crux of the disagreement between the two countries revolves around the question of to what extent Iran has managed to develop clandestine sites for uranium enrichment. As a result, Israel and the United States are having a hard time settling on common "red lines."
Patrick Clawson of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy told The Daily Beast that "if Iran were found to be sneaking out or breaking out [toward obtaining nuclear weapons], then the president's advisers are firmly persuaded he would authorize the use of military force to stop it." However, he added, "when the occasion comes, we just don't know how the president will react."
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with the same mindset israel use, namely preemptive, iran have the full right, not israel.
this aricle is a big joke
This is actually what most Israeli officials will tell you privately, that Iran is not nor has ever been an existential threat to Israel, but that doesn't stop them from ratcheting up the tensions for the sake of politics. Israel's prime minister has a certain domestic audience that it's trying to serve here, so they flood them within this fear and propoganda about the big Iranian bogeyman. Right-politics always feeds on that.
Has everyone lost sight of the fact that Iran has a long term approach to the destruction of Israel. By having nuclear weapons, even without using them now, it increases and consolidates its power and influence in the ME. It already has a strong power base in a divided and weak Lebanon, it is waiting for the power vacuum in Iraq with the exit of the US to grab control of Iraq and Syria is ever more and more dependent on it for support. It will then gobble up the rest of the Arabian peninsula emirates without anyone lifting a finger to stop them. Finally, it will focus all its consolidated power on what it always wanted, the destruction of Israel. Who will stop them from using nuclear missiles against Israel then? It would then be seen as a world war of religions. The West will never run the risk. The handwriting is on the wall.
Even it that were the case,Israel shouldn't pull the chestnuts from the fire. It's not only our business to strike Iran.There is a larger world beyond Israel also against Iran acquiring N.weapons. But even if they were to obtain the means of producing one,does anybody in his/her right mind think that Iran is going to wake up next morning & throw the Bomb to Israel. Not so quick !. According to different sources Israel has no less Nuclear capabilities than France. If Iran were to try any of her monkey-tricks,there won't be any Iran to tell the tale. No country,not even a crazy Mullah country would want to see their children,family & friends turn into cinders ! Beware, Iran !
I agree 100% with the asssessment. And I would add that a nuclear armed Iran can be contained and sanctioned.
The term "existential threat" does demand some clarification. What existence is it that is under threat? The lives or Israelis? The state of Israel? Israel's existence as a Jewish state? The message is being sent by Israeli leaders as this being a matter of life and death when it may be just about politics, as it seems to me. It's just the usual victimization weapon being drawn out to attract support to the continuation of Israel's actions.
Gotta love all them naysayers - listen to them howling - LOL
"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them" - George W. Bush
There is no way a small ethnically-based state with limited immiigration possibilities created in the heart of a large Arab ethnicity/Islamic world can survive for long as such. Arrogant behavior and ethnic cleansing to create/preserve it as a "Jewish democracy" is self defeating. And peace with its neighbors/indigenous population would transform it into a non-ethnic entity within perhaps two generations.
Seems to me that here we have some hearsay that raises a number of troubling questions including the very peculiar alleged remark about "closing shop and going home." Fact is that Israel's Jew are already in their aboriginal homeland where at least some Jews have lived in each and every year since the ethnogenesis of the Jewish People some 26 centuries ago. Did Pardo really make that strange remark which is very damaging? And, by the way, may I ask if the officials present had been asked to keep the meeting's proceedings confidential? Was there a legal requirement to keep the discussion secret? I am a former Canadian public servant (Foreign Affairs and Privy Council Office). In that context, I understood perfectly the confidentiality requirements that governed the Public Service of Canada. "Loose lips sink ships," they used to say in World War Two.
the men seems like the has peace in his heart and knows waht is going on that they want to use israel to make it and have also a few traitors in the game who say "dont you worry everything will be fine and than well fick them " master of intrigue - we red last time it ended in auschwitz and this guy here must remember it . i am not delighted about irans leadership and never was - but what the hell time to go solar . my lamps are shining with sun power and it is ok- and i am a solid christian with jewish annsestors . they shine !!! and dont make any destruction it is a sad thing that the mossad chief is not a woman i would him send than to russia and make a blow job for wladimir and call bethi in london to tell her it is enough now . she has 40 percent of the earth has infiiltrated herself in usa and mossad ,almost everywhere using greed - invented with her agents osama ,anwar and globalisation to put usa on the knees and to use cheap products from china to make usa poor and on top of that give an american president who is sponsored by nwo and that the soonsor promotes nwo with china communist leaders as leading model - and forget to mension that china has close aliances with iran surely on order of bethi and the third reich traitor bank roitschild former german bauer bank in service of her majesty who financed before 2 sides of medal adolf as well as others also busch. , anyhow bethi shut shut up!! and dont you fuck with USA russia and israel and also with germany - otherwise it seems it seems 2012 wont be your year . I have sweet hope that in 2012 EVENTUALLY and it will help world peace we will see 1 nazi pihillip (bethis german husband ) speaking on tapes "how to nice is to have former colonies(usa) almost recovered .....and that there are to much people walking around..... which people he is refering too . the once his friends killed in 3 reich a little bit or the rest around 200 million who die after ww2 in consequence of wars , eugenics, hunger and genocides 2 exact circumstances from princess of heart diana who was loooooooooved in usa !!! 3 nazi philipp together with old eugenic nazis 4 SATANIC RITUAL ENGAGEMENTS AND OTHER HOOOOOOT STUFFF . BETTER THAN PORNS AND LIKE I ALWAYS SAY KING IS NOT WHO HAS THE CROWN KING IS WHO HAS THE BETTER PROFE. THE MOSSAD CHIEF I WISH GOOD LUCK AND I AM AMONG THOSE WHO MEAN IT determinated and brave and bethi we wont knee fall your crown any longer not now not tomorrow and to be honest never ! ! ! peace and freedom FREEDOM AND PEACE
Can we live with this threat ?
From all appearances, Iran is a rational state, acting responsibly. Therefore, the US believes it should not go to war to stop Iran's nuclearization. Since it is desirable to not increase the number of states having nukes, the US will continue to help by "threats." But Israel should know that there will be no actual US action. And if Israel acts alone against Iran, the US will not intervene on her behalf. It will be a private Israeli affair. If Israel choses to reveal this to the world, too bad, because then Iran will probably nuclearize quickly. Israel is now developing a "second strike" capability (via submarines), and this is sufficient to protect it against any contemplated surprise attack.
As you know, underneath the world of appearances lay active political and historical undercurrents, cross-currents and undertows. To be wise, the careful citizen must learn to distinguish pretexts from real objectives, operatives from disinterested investigators, psychological war-making from objective news, fantasy from real-life consequences. In the present circumstance, I can’t help but go back to recent history, to a near breakthrough between Israel and Syria mediated by Turkey, and to a state visit to Israel by Russia’s Vladimir Putin. Back then, my imagination explored the potential for back-channel communication between Israel and Iran, first with Russia taking on the role of Turkey, second by leveraging a breakthrough with Syria. Moving ahead in time, weighing this kind of statecraft in which Tzipi Livni is prolific against continuing with present statecraft, divergent consequences are unmistakable. I keep two documents close at hand: One is the Oslo Accord containing provisions for a productive economic partnership under Article XI (“both parties view the multilateral working groups as an appropriate instrument for promoting a ‘Marshall Plan’”) and Annex III (“Protocol on Israeli-Palestinian Co-operation in Economic and Development Programs”). It is not simply that specific partnership that holds my interest, but extending that program across the region, into Pakistan, with unlikely partnerships emerging to advance the work and lives of people. Work is the fire for forging meaningful alliances and friendship from the mere promissory notes of state-to-state treaties. Two is Newsweek’s April 15, 2002 issue, with teenagers Ayat Al Akhras and Rachel Levy, dead and gone from the life of the living. I went back to that article when a nihilistic young man took the life of Christina-Taylor Green, nine years old, in Tuscon, Arizona a year ago. Last of all, I find it noteworthy that Ehud Barak has said that if he were Iran, he’d want nuclear weapons. Is this subliminal empathy speaking – empathy for a nation that, like Israel, has been opposed, isolated, undermined and demonized to the point of pushing it like a coiled spring to maximum tension?
Well, Israel invented the term "existential threat" to demonize Iran. What will Netanyahu do now if Iran is not an existential threat? Maybe Indonesia now will become an existential threat to Israel.
one man's opinion? obama never intended to stop iran from acquiring nukes if it meant he has to use force...he just wont do it. The man just doesnt get the middle east and his foreign policy reflects that.
is storing the waste. Once the bombs are sent and retaliated against we will not have to worry anymore because life will be over on this planet.
Bla bla bla, Iran, bla bla bla, Terror, bla bla bla, Nukes..... And not to forget, the classic:......we want peace bla bla bla
Even If Iran has nuclear bomb, it won't drop it on israel. Iran knows attacking israel with nukes means killing also around 5 million non-jews who live closely too. Iran is not that stupid.
fascinating... Surely you have conveniently forgotten about how Islam values martyrs (whether Muslim victims know it or not).
that Israel cannot prevent Iran achieving parity, and there is a calming of the language to prevent a flight of Americans and other citizens with dual nationality from Israel. The funny thing is Chirac saifd all this over ten years ago, and that was before we built a missile shield to protect Europe.
Any relation to the late, great Don Pardo?
Obama hates Israel so he will do nothing
No, Obama does not hate Israel, he just try to stay away (as much as it is “politically correct” possible). This is just a reflection of the wish of a growing number of Americans that are sick to see our government line up to serve the interest of Israel security. I am not talking here about anti-Semites or conspiracy theorists but about regular taxpayers that see their country sinking in debt yet any presidential candidate is forbidden to skip an AIPAC meeting before he/she run for office. Never heard of them attending any other committee like American Irish or Polish etc. nor that something like this exist. It's true, most Americans are sympathetic with your struggle but do not abuse this sympathy. And yes, your secret service chief is right, a nuclear armed Iran is not a threat for Israel and not even close for US. They probably will use them to bargain some economic/security guarantees (just like N. Korea) but are not crazy and stupid enough to use them on as first strike to destroy Israel (and Palestine, and kill probably more Muslims than Jews). I am sure they know they will not wake up next morning. I think the biggest treat to Israel existence is to make honest citizen of the western word disdain you because our government involvements in costly wars we don't want and need only for the sake of your "peace of mind". We lived 50 years with an hostile and nuclear armed Soviet Union and nobody got hurt. Lets hope one day smart people get elected in the same time in all nuclear countries and realize the stupidity and uselessness of all WMD.
So does this means that Israel hates Israel also?
Sorry, Don Pardo is not "late." He's still alive.
Any relation to the late, great Don Pardo?
that Israel cannot prevent Iran achieving parity, and there is a calming of the language to prevent a flight of Americans and other citizens with dual nationality from Israel. The funny thing is Chirac saifd all this over ten years ago, and that was before we built a missile shield to protect Europe.
Pardo has forgotten that Ahmadenijad and the Mullahs have explicitly threatened to wipe Israel from the map. When do we start to worry,when the sirens go off?
Juidging by the way Iran acts all iis attacks through his proxies imagine wha the consequences would be if they are allowed to acquire nuclear capability( If already that they may have it)
... keeps repeating the mistakes of their predecessors. Do not look any further to the arm of man for help. Why oh why are you so "stiff-necked". Who and what you consider wise, is foolishness. Vain repetitions, constant bickering amongst yourselves, while the enemy lays siege at your doorstep. Hitherto HE has always saved; yet it was only a remnant due to the "majority" taking so many down with them. Wise up! Wake up! SHALOM!
One possible explanation is this: Pardo has a learned that there is a high percentage of success in foiling the nuclear program and wants to keep Israel within a low profile. Alternatively, the Mossad may have intelligence that assures to a great extent that the USA will act militarily. In that case, it is better to extricate Israel from the conflict in the international arena, by saying it's not Israel who has the urgency. It may be prophilactic. I would have liked to hear his definition of "existential".
israel however already have nukes and want to attack Iran, THAT is a threat.
How long before he is sent to the zionist school for the conversion of self hating Jews. How long before he recants and mends his goyim ways.
how terible is that
sanctions after sanctions against iran is just to make the vulnerable arab kingdoms nervous so USA has succeeded in selling its armaments worth more than 30 bilion USD to arabs
wilderness of stupidity and cowardis: The only people on earth that are a threat to Israel, are the idiots governing it. Everyone on earth sees an attack on Iran would bring total distruction to Israel. This is a new day. You aren't living in 1967 anymore. And You're getting pissed at America's government for telling you things like they are; carries about as much weight as a feather on the wind. And if Nutt-yahu and Barac want to bomb Iran. Put them in the aircraft that does it. Hold elections when they take off and put a real government in.
Ament to thatAment to thatAment to thatAment to thatAment to thatAment to thatAment to that.................................................
Iran has 12 tested nuclear weapons already.
This man look very stupid in his comments. Are you sure that this man is a Mossad chief? Look at Iran and nuclear weapon, well, Iran will be a regional power and Israel will be nothing in the face of the world once Iran has a nuclear weapon. USA can no longer threaten Iran as USA will be afraid of Iranian attack with nuclear weapon on Iranian dispossal. This Mossad chief is really an embarrassment to the government of Israel and Israeli intelligent works. Mossad chief to say that Iran to have nuclear weapon is not a threat to Israel is an understatement. Who is Iranian enemy? Is it not Israel? I am disappointed in this kind of Israeli Mossad chief.
This man look very stupid in his comments. Are you sure that this man is a Mossad chief? Look at Iran and nuclear weapon, well, Iran will be a regional power and Israel will be nothing in the face of the world once Iran has a nuclear weapon. USA can no longer threaten Iran as USA will be afraid of Iranian attack with nuclear weapon on Iranian dispossal. This Mossad chief is really an embarrassment to the government of Israel and Israeli intelligent works. Mossad chief to say that Iran to have nuclear weapon is not a threat to Israel is an understatement. Who is Iranian enemy? Is it not Israel? I am disappointed in this kind of Israeli Mossad chief.
We've seen & heard enough Yankees interfering our business and the world business in general.
for over 1000 years Iran has not fought any wars. It has not done anything you claim. You are full of ignorance.
Not all Iranians approve or want the nukes..They WANT freedom and bread on their table. But the billioner mullahs do not care while they line their pockets in the BANK accounts. What need to be done is: FIND & arrest the members (who rule the roost( i.e THE REVOLUTIONARY GUARDS ONE BY ONE/.( as Israel 's Mossad has done to the jihadists catching and dispatching them one at a time).Do you think m my idea is applicable....I for one TINK IT IS THE BEST SCENARIO
100,000 people Demo in israel, 4000 OWS people in US Jails, How many in UK jails?...... Bet you live a bubble
The Israeli governement is wise to mistrust Iranian President "Iwannajihad". The same holds true for Obama a.k.a. "Obhammud".
poor Israelis. In weekly intervals Iran is a threat to you OR not... is a threat... not. You must be so confused.
With the quite reliable doctrine of mutually assured destruction, no one is going to use an atomic weapon as an offensive device. Of course they are a powerful defensive fallback position, and nations would be foolish to attack anyone that possesses these weapon. That said, an Iranian nuclear bomb would mean a significant change in the balance of power in the region which is the hidden agenda worry for Israel, USA, Saudi Arabia, and come of the Gulf States. That is a problem which will have to be managed by new and more creative means. Despite all the hysteria about radical Islam in Iran, we should also look to their proud history and culture that extends back over thousands of years. Some of the greatest foreign policy mistakes of the USA is a failure to appreciate the histories and cultures of those on whom they make war.
1. Attack Iran. 2. Do not attack. It really comes down to a choice of evils. But I think a multi-national/NATO response would be better than if Israel attacked alone. It would be better for Israel if Israel did not have to do the attacking. After all, a nuclear armed Iran threatens the stability of the entire region.
I agree. However, there is an ongoing somewhat under-the-surface war with kidnappings, assassinationsm cyber-and-psychological warfare going on. How successful it is in foiling Iran's plans, is impossible for us to know. Maybe what Pardo is doing, is extricating Israel from what he knows is coming, namely some sort of militray action along the line, by prophilactically saiyng "oh, well, we were not that concerned anyway, so stop pointing your fingers at us". If he's smart, he's lowering Israel's prophile on this, which is smarter than raising it. If I'm wrong and Cipora Julianna Kohn is right, then Pardo has had too much of Mossad, and needs a shrink.
Any politician who wants to be re-elected knows a war on Iran will mean the end of their political careers
Any politician who wants to be re-elected knows a war on Iran will mean the end of their political careers
It gets her crude oil from elsewhere. So don't bore us to death with the worn out anti-Semitic fad of "wars on behalf of Israel".
When has the UK faught for Israel silly Chrissie ISRAEL FIGHTS ITS OWN WAR WITHOUT ANY OUTSIDE HELP ..Thank you..
Ron Paul is irrelevant..he has not achieved suficient point in the Republican debate.He only has 14 points, while Romney IS AHEAD by 28 points.. Don't puit your trust on HIM.. he says he is not Anti-semitic but anty Israel..What the hell is the difference....Israel is a Jewish State so his announcements and sentiments are BOGUS
So let me get this right, Israel can claim 'ambiguity' over nukes but Iran who is publicly stating 'we're not interested in nukes' is only good for a 'defensive' war started by yourselves? I've heard it all now. And as long as Israel defends nuclear ambiguity as 'strategic advantage', Iran can also defend its nuclear ambiguity as 'strategic advantage'. So leave Iran alone as long as you allow Israel and any other country to defend its nuclear ambiguity as 'strategic advantage'. If the US and Israel want Iranian nuclear transparency, then Israel better be just as transparent. They started the ME arms race, now they have to live with it. Israeli exceptionalism is over.
threatened to wipe Israel off the map. Israel can not afford to take threats lightly. This guy is an idiot. The Iranians will attack Israel just as Sadam attacked Israel. It is to them their sacred duty and they are bound by all that is holy to them to do so. Listen to this idiot at your own peril !
Israel introduced nuclear weapons to the Middle East in 1956. Israel is no position to lecture Iran or the rest of the world about nuclear proliferation. Indeed, If Israel, which occupies neighbors' land in violation of international law, can have nukes, why can't Iran? Israel introduced the law of the jungle, let us have the rule of the jungle. Period.
Israel introduced nuclear weapons to the Middle East in 1956. Israel is no position to lecture Iran or the rest of the world about nuclear proliferation. Indeed, If Israel, which occupies neighbors' land in violation of international law, can have nukes, why can't Iran? Israel introduced the law of the jungle, let us have the rule of the jungle. Period.
They have pretty much been doing what they want since 1983, well rely since the hostage crisis. 9/11, false intelligence on Iraq WMD to use US soldiers as human shields to prevent a strike, start a war in Mexico. Without any repercussions. All with out the bomb. But it is not Israeli policy otherwise Saddam would have had the bomb and Assad would have had the bomb, if neither were a threat then why act. It is very complex and far more dangerous than in 2005 when Qum was discovered, so this is not like Opera or Orchard. But you know 1000 missile silos in the Persian desert is a problem, I mean as they have threatened to close the Straits of Hormuz, why not. Now this is not an Israel problem but a global problem. It all depends on your take on the regime. As long as the US is dependent on middle east oil, and Iran seek the destruction of the US.
" I mean as they have threatened to close the Straits of Hormuz, why not." Listen if i was threatening you with a nuclear strike and sanctions what the hell are you supposed to do ? Sit back and say thanks very much i will do what you tell me to do ? Obama asking for the drone back was enough for me, what a crazy bunch of people the NWO are......crazy !!
They have pretty much been doing what they want since 1983, well rely since the hostage crisis. 9/11, false intelligence on Iraq WMD to use US soldiers as human shields to prevent a strike, start a war in Mexico. Without any repercussions. All with out the bomb. But it is not Israeli policy otherwise Saddam would have had the bomb and Assad would have had the bomb, if neither were a threat then why act. It is very complex and far more dangerous than in 2005 when Qum was discovered, so this is not like Opera or Orchard. But you know 1000 missile silos in the Persian desert is a problem, I mean as they have threatened to close the Straits of Hormuz, why not. Now this is not an Israel problem but a global problem. It all depends on your take on the regime. As long as the US is dependent on middle east oil, and Iran seek the destruction of the US.
A wonderful thought, but where is the opposition or any potential opposition?
then they talk about segregation of men & women, veil, polygamy. Looks quit Islamic don't you think? Ha....
Let me get this straight. The Palestinians want Jerusalem as their Capital, and Iran wants to use nuclear weapons on Israel. Wouldn't the use of one or more nuclear weapons on such a small piece of real estate render most of it, including Jerusalem, uninhabitable for a number of years to come? So, to you Palestinians out there, I say, get with the program and help Israel eliminate the possibility of a nuclear-armed Iran. After all, it's in your own self-interest. What good would a radioactive Jerusalem be to you? NADA, nothing, zilch. We Jews will survive with you or without you. Your own survival depends on which side you ultimately decide to align yourselves with.
because they are not stupid enough to throw everything they worked for to waste just to nuke Israel.
"Iran wants to use nuclear weapons on Israel"?! Where do you get this stuff from?
Too many things are there of significance to ALL the abrahamic religions --- no nukes will ever be fired at Israel
The statements made by Pardo and others are badly qualified. A nuclear armed Iran does not mean nuclear weapons that can be mounted on a missile and fired into Israel. Iran already has a Pakastani missile that is too heavy for use on a missile. It is not clear that an Iranian made missile, even if it could be made to explode could be launched on a missile into Israel. Attacks on their missile capability would be foolish, uncertain, possibly useless, and totally unnecessary. If a nuclear bomb could be brought into Israel and exploded that would be a different issue since there are sources for such a bomb; Pakistan, N. Korea, Russia(?) etc. That is a significant risk. If Iran develops a nuclear bomb it adds to the list and risk. However, such a bomb would have a signature and if it came from Iran's effort it would constitute a fatal risk for Iran withoujt destroying Israel. The proper approach is to keep up the pressure for inspection and at the same time continue to rachet up the economic consequences for Iran as the US is doing. The US no doubt will eventually destroy Iran's economy, which will emasculate Iran and precipitate a Persian Spring. It will also resolve the probelm with the PalArabs.
Iran third holy site is not Jerusalem.. Just in case palestines forgot that... Its Najaf.. So they dont care to nuke Jerusalem..
ever.... There are over billion Muslims and 20 million or so Jews... I think chances are high that Muslims will survive longer. Secondly, most of Palestinians were kicked out as refugees by Israel. Lastly, since when exactly Israel decided to share jerusalem with the Palestinians.
just keep the usa out of it.
If Israel strikes Iran (with more than just stuxnet and the bombs it has already planted), then USA will be drawn in 'cause Iran will target US interests.
No one will take a chance and attack them, its not worth it. They will get one and it will be a situation of Mutual Assured Destruction (MAD). Both Israel and Iran know that a lunch will automatically lead to a second strike. Even Ahmadinejad (or at least Khomeini) aren't crazy enough to lead to their own country's destruction or millions of deaths.
is consisting of populistic warmongers who totally disregard contradicting intelligence as well as human lifes.
It's good to know Mossad in in intelligent hands.
"Does Iran pose a threat to Israel? Absolutely." Tamir Pardo.
pardo has stabbed in the back all those who work tierlessly to stop iran from going nuclear. if he really said what is imputed to him, he should be fired immediately. the head of the mossad has no right to undermine the mission that was entrusted to him. one is totally appalled.
Shouldn,t one.
Lets hear it from the Ex Mossad chief!!!!!!!!
your hateful and eternal warmongering. PEACE upon all.
He may be a jerk, but an idiot he certainly is not.
I want to live in Israel but not if Iran gets WMD, who would want to live in Israel? Whoever is in charge in Iran will take up one day and nuke Israel because god told them to do it. They are insane beyond comprehension and they have no right to such powerful weapons.
...for thirty years. It was not so bad. Safety today does not come from guns. Guns do not win wars.
Quoted from Ahmedi Nejad.
Hypocrite
Hypocrite
Bay of Pigs operation failed, leading to nuke build-up and face-off that was ended by direct communication between Kennedy and Kruschev...imagine if Kennedy was not president and a war-monger, like the generals who were vamping the nation up for war, was? He received so much heat for that, and perhaps it costed him his life... but in the end, nuclear war was avoided... I hope Israel doesn't forget this because once long range missiles start striking metropolises in Israel, like Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, the biggest existential threat to Israel will be that most of its population who can afford to leave, will leave (we saw this time and again).
How about this?: Get bent.
btw---Seek help --soon.
Finally, a person who thinks. Thank you Tamir Pardo. Forget about the military industrial complex. Think about innocent people who will die on both sides.
"The prime minister has even compared Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to Adolf Hitler and argued that Iran should be treated as Nazi Germany should have been dealt with in 1938, just before World War II" NO destroy people the moment you see they are heading towards the path of killing innocent, in hitlers case that was in 1935 why does the world wait until some tyrant kills a ton of people
If Ahmadinejad is on a Hitlerian mission to wipe out Jews - how come there are still 25,000 living freely in Iran? His speech on the Zionist regime being 'wiped from the page of history' is about regime change NOT genocide, big difference.
does the world wait? Indeed, that's what Palestinians ask themselves every single day.
Are you talking about.................that Nutt yahoo who is a lier and no credibility around the globe?
They live therer but are very restricted .cannot go abroad and if they try ,therir passports are stampped in such fasghion tey'd be dead and gone if they DO NOT ABIDER BY THEIR RULES..Everything is not as it seem with the Jewes living there.ASnd if they like it.. ON THEIR HEADS BE IT.
NUKE ARM IRAN WILL BE ONLY GARANT FOR THE PEACE IN THE REGION ! PLEASE ALL THE WORLD,GIVE CHANCE TO THE PEACE!
Israel, not Iran pose the threat to world peace.
A couple of months ago, Ha'aretz printed an article about the low birth rate of Jewish couples in Israel. It was called an "existential threat". Overused, indeed.
Ultimately, the Iranian nuclear capability would be entirely defensive. This would pose a problem only for US and western corporate interests, who badly want to invade Iran on any pretext and seize it's energy assets, -it's oil, gas, and uranium. Remember, we have done it before.