Defense Minister Ehud Barak on Tuesday morning, 11 Cheshvan, spoke with Israel Radio host Yaron Dekel, addressing a number of current event issues.

IR:

What is your feeling regarding the outpost?

Barak:

We are a nation of law and order and it must be extremely clear, that any outpost constructed on private land cannot be tolerated. Ultimately, we will not have any alterative. There is a Supreme Court and when we are ordered to remove them we are compelled to act.

IR:

So Migron and Givat Assaf are going to be removed?

Barak:

The yishuvim in Yehuda and Shomron exist with the blessing of governments of Israel. Ofrah was started by Shimon Peres and Gush Katif was started by Labor as well. If Givat Assaf is on private land it cannot remain on private land. It is like the three buildings in Migron were removed because they were on private land, and illegal outposts have and will be removed.

IR:

So Givat Assaf and Migron will be removed?

Barak:

There are state lands and other issues and the matter must be probed to learn of the true status. If there is no alternative, they will be removed and this is understood. After 44 years there is a deep-rooted difference of opinion regarding the yishuvim throughout Yehuda and Shomron and I am among those who believes the large settlement blocs must remain part of Israel in a final status agreement and we will have no alternative but to remove the others and bring the residents back into Israel. There are those who disagree.

We must also understand that all the yishuvim together do not even comprise 2% of the total area. We must understand there is sufficient room to settle and live, enough legal areas and we do not need to go to private areas.

Regarding the defense budget, Barak stated that there must be an increase in the funding not the opposite, explaining the threats and current realities, adding that cutting the defense budgets will not provide the required funds that are lacking in other areas. We mustn’t panic over a deficit and we must look at the greater picture. The budget must be expanded and there are steps that can be taken to make this possible without ignoring economic realities.

On the Iranian threat Barak stated he is not optimistic regarding efforts by the international community form a cohesive coalition to act against Iran, since such a coalition would include India and China, which are not about to join such an effort.

“No options may be removed from the table” regarding Iran he explained, adding that the detailed report about to be released by the International Atomic Energy Agency does not bring anything new for Israel, which has reported on the nuclear aspirations of Tehran ahead of the world. The defense minister stated Israel has been calling for firmer sanctions for a long time and it is yet to occur, hence he remains less than optimistic here as well.

Oil sanctions he believes are still possible, and such a move would have an impact, stating “we must remember that the Iranian reactor is a problem for the entire world, not just for Israel but we must realize that Israel alone is responsible for its security and future and no other government”.

When asked to comment on the media frenzy surrounding a possible Israeli military strike against Tehran, Barak called it a “demagogic fear campaign”. He calls on the public and the media to abandon addressing rumors that are “baseless and instill unnecessary fear since Israel does not face an existential threat”.

“When you hear leading journalists speak of 100,000 fatalities in Israel if Israel acts against Iran or a MK who says there will not be enough cemeteries in Gush Dan, this is imply seeding hysteria… The State of Israel hasn’t decided to launch any operation. We remain the strongest military power in the Middle East but we remain uninterested in war since war is no picnic”.

Regarding the IAEA report, Barak adds “We know more than is written in the Washington Post and it appears more than the International Atomic Energy Agency too”.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)