In an interview with CNN correspondent Christiane Amanpour, Defense Minister Ehud Barak used the international forum to once again lash out against the biased Goldstone Report, which lacks factual basis and accuses Israel of war crimes perpetrated against citizens of Hamas-controlled Gaza during the counter-terrorism military offensive known as Operation Cast Lead. He explained the IDF is constantly examining itself, aware there is always room for improvement. He added the Goldstone document only serves to encourage future terrorism.
He called on the international community to move ahead quickly and aggressively with crippling sanctions against Iran, explaining the urgency of halting Iran’s nuclear program.
Barak over the weekend wrapped up high-level meetings on Capitol Hill, meeting with the US vice president, secretary of state, chairman of the Chiefs of Joint Staffs, and defense secretary, sending the same message. He also explained to the decision makers that Iran does not only pose a threat to Israel, but to the entire free world, including Western interests in the region. He explained a nuclear Iran would destabilize the entire Mideast region and shift the balance of power.
Regarding the propaganda being spread by Lebanon, Hizbullah and Syria, the defense minister explained Israel is not seeking a conflict along her northern border, and Jerusalem does not plan an attack against Lebanon, but quickly explained if Israel is attacked, the IDF will know how to respond. He spoke of the 40,000 Hizbullah rockets pointed at Israel, and that the IDF does not plan to chase individual Hizbullah terrorists, but that the Government of Israel holds Lebanon responsible for cross-the-border acts of aggression and warfare.
When asked about the Dubai assassination, pointing out Barak is known to have taken part in covert operations during his military career, operations involving the killing of “Palestinians”, the minister explained that during his career he only targeted terrorists, and regarding Dubai, he has nothing to add. He explained the role of the government is to protect its citizens and during his military career, he took part in missions to target those who indiscriminately murder innocent people.
(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)
7 Responses
Unless this article is misinformation, it seems like the arabs are taking their time in building a military front along the northern border of Israel to be backed up with heavy Iranian munitions to the east. But if I am thinking that, then the big cheeses must know something. I dont want to say Israel and the Western World are dumb in taking their time to throw a punch while the enemy seems to be winding up, warming up, and taking aim to deliver a knock-out punch..heaven forbid.
Very wimpy complaint: “a nuclear Iran would destabilize the entire Mideast region.”
Sounds like he wants to complain without saying anything.
I’ll bet anybody on this site a thousand dollars that even without being attacked by Israel or the US Iran does not bomb anybody with nuclear weapons in the next three years. Money on the table. Or don’t you believe in your own fears?
#2 – Your “bet” has got win the prize (for several reasons) for the most foolish comment ever put up on this site.
#3 please dont criticize anyone making comments. It seems to me that the only foolish comment was yours.
avreich, theres alot about diplomacy and politics that you just dont understand.
iran has been lying about their nuclear plans for a long time, and recent information shows that theyve been enriching 90% uranium and stockpiling it, and that have indeed been in the process of building a nuclear weapon. that being said, they have no plans of ever launching a first strike, but what they will do is provoke israel by financing attacks against it by other countries, like lebanon, syria, and the palestinians. they’re trying to provoke israel into attacking them so that they don’t look like the aggressors and they will easily be able to gather support all throughout the middle east, north africa and even parts of europe. they’re baiting israel to attack them, even to the point of moving weapons factories into above ground locations that are easily identified using satellites.
hanavon, since when were you involved with the intelligence community? Iran has made it very clear that they want to wipe Israel off the face of the earth. Are you trying to say that if Israel launches a pre-emptive strike that it will be unjustified?
Oh yeah avreichman/rasha h8er, that’s REAL smart to want to bet as to whether these savages will launch missles to kill Yidden in Eretz Yisrael! Its really the kind of thing appropriate for betting about.