When both the defense minister and the IDF chief of staff are
talking about attacking the Iranian nuclear facilities, it seems that my analysis from
2008 Facing
Iran, Alone might becoming reality
Iran is unimpressed with the West's steps against the Islamic
Republic's nuclear program so far, and Israel must prepare for the possibility
of striking the Iranian nuclear program on its own, Defense Minister Moshe
Ya'alon warned Tuesday, during an Independence Day speech he delivered to guests
at Herzliya.
Describing the Iranian nuclear
program as "the most significant" threat not only to Israel, but to
the Middle East and the "modern world," Ya'alon said Tehran's drive
for nuclear capabilities could end in disaster.
"It could spark an arms race in the Middle East, and cause
nuclear weapons to spread to terror organizations. This situation could be a
nightmare for the Western world," he warned.
"The world's response to the
Iranian nuclear program was delayed. The fact that centrifuges in Iran are
continuing to spin, and that enriched uranium has already been collected,
proves that the regime in Tehran is not impressed by these steps taken so far.
Even more so, the regime in Tehran does not identify determination in the
Western world to stop its nuclear project, and it therefore allows itself to
continue to develop it," the defense minister continued.
"Only by placing the Iranian
regime before the dilemma of having a bomb or [risking its] survival will lead
to the project being stopped.," he said.
"Only a significant increase in sanctions, international
isolation, assistance, as well as moral support to the repressed citizens of
Iran, and a credible military option, will convince the regime in Tehran that
its survival is preferable to the military nuclear project," he added.
Israel should not lead the
campaign against Iran, Ya'alon said, but Israel is the first target of the
Ayatollah regime, he added, citing threats by Iranian rulers to destroy Israel.
"The world must lead the
campaign against Iran, but Israel must prepare for the possibility that it will
have to defend itself with its own powers," he said.
"As someone who experienced
wars and lost friends, subordinates, commanders, and brothers in arms, I'm
convinced that using military power is the last resort. As the defense minister
of Israel, I must do all I can in my decisions to avoid sorrow and
bereavement... But we must be prepared to use military power if we must, and to
overcome our enemies sharply, clearly, and quickly." During his speech,
Ya'alon said that ins ome senses, "the War of Independence hasn't ended
yet. Security forces are facing, and will continue to face in the coming years,
challenges on various fronts, from near to far, along our borders, and in
states that are not close to us." Conventional military threats have
decreased, but terrorist organizations, rockets, missiles, and Iran remain a
threat, he said.
"The threats have only
changed, taken on a different form, [they're] evasive, slippery, uncurbed, and
can surprise and cause damages to Israel and its citizens." Hezbollah and
Hamas are armed with tens of thousands of rockets of different types, and on
the day they receive the order, "they'll fire them at our cities and
civilians. Although Hezbollah is busy these months with combat on behalf of the
regime of Basher al-Assad in Syria, it is ready for a conflict with Israel,
with Iranian and Syrian assistance," he added.
"Lebanese citizens and their
leaders must understand that for every Hezbollah attack on us, the organization
and Lebanon itself will be considered responsible and will pay the price,"
Ya'alon said.
The brutal Syrian civil war
presents security risks, but also opportunities, he added.
"The fact that Arab states
are busy with themselves and their survival... prevents them from focusing on
us," Ya'lon said.
Gantz:
IDF can attack Iran nuke sites on its own
The IDF has the ability to attack the Iranian nuclear sites
without help from other nations, IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Benny Gantz told
Israel Radio in a lengthy interview aired Tuesday.
When asked if the IDF has the
capabilities to attack alone in Iran, Gantz answered "unequivocally,
yes."
The Iranian challenge is a meaningful one. We must look at it strategically long-term. We will do what needs to be done, when it needs to be done," he said.
Gantz told Israel Radio that the
top political and military officials discussed a possible strike in Iran, but
denied reports that there were arguments on the topic. "There are long,
continuous discussions, and I presume we'll have more of those in the
future."
On the northern front, Gantz
assured that the IDF is ready for a possible military confrontation with Syria
and with Lebanon. "We are ready, at any given time, and in an immediate
manner, for a war with Syria, both on the defense and on the offense. I don't
see it happening tomorrow morning, but despite that we are ready."
On the southern front, Gantz
discussed the achievements of Operation Pillar of Defense last November,
saying the relative quiet that has been maintained since the ceasefire
agreement with Hamas at the end of the Operation is a testament to the
deterrence Israel established.
"There were several
isolated incidents lately that were made to appear more prominent because of
the relative quiet, and rightfully so. We have no intention to go back to the
situation that was before Pillar of Defense. If this quiet continues [and no
rockets are fired], there will be quiet in the Gaza Strip. If the quiet does
not continue, there will be no quiet in the Gaza Strip and it will be very
painful [for the Hamas leadership] and we will not be afraid to resume our
operations in the Strip and even extend them," he said.
"We must not forget that
the Hamas holds full and direct responsibility to everything that happens in
the Gaza Strip. If rockets are fired from [the Strip], it's either because
Hamas allows it or because it doesn't control the Strip. It is [Hamas']
responsibility and we will demand that of it," he added.
The chief of staff also said the
situation in the West Bank is not as grave as it was prior to the outburst of
the first and second intifada, and asserted he does not think a third intifada
is currently on the horizon. Regardless, Gantz assured that the IDF is ready
for any possible escalation.
Gantz also spoke at length about
the enlistment of haredim into army service, asserting that "in
principle, any citizen needs to serve their country" and promising the
process will be "gradually, evolving."
The chief of staff also stressed
that the IDF needs any offered manpower to maintain the level of preparedness
of its soldiers and its reserve soldiers.
"There
are more fronts, more challenges. We need to be able to perform operational
duty, as well as be in the required level of readiness for any possible
escalation. We also need to allow our reserve soldiers to drill as required
and not just do operational duties. The more manpower we have, our response on
a day-to-day basis will be better," he explainedupdate, April 17, 2013
Members of the Senate
Foreign Relations Committee have adopted a resolution according to which the US
will support Israel in case it is compelled to take military action and
actualize its right to self defense in the face of an Iranian threat. The
resolution stipules Israel will enjoy diplomatic, economic and military aid.
It is not clear what the impact of the above resolution will be since foreign policy is in the hands of the President
