A very sobering article in today's issue of
Haaretz, written by one of the top journalists in Israel:
...he truly believes it is his historic mission to rescue the Jewish people from a catastrophe...
Netanyahu also sees himself as a prophet at the gate, who saw the dangers of terror and extremist Islam before others did, and has now received a second chance to prove the justice of his claims and remove the threats to Israel and the Jewish people. A person with such historical awareness does not just spew out empty words about existential dangers, Holocaust and destruction. These words obligate him to take action. And his declarations to date have been so extreme that he will have difficulty retreating from them...
Netanyahu told Obama that his presidency would be judged by his handling of Iran... In Netanyahu's opinion Obama has tremendous political clout - something his predecessor George W. Bush lacked - to launch an operation against Iran. He has at his disposal all the diplomatic, economic and military capabilities of the American superpower...
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made it her business to explain to him that the Arab countries will not stand with Israel against Iran if Israel does not advance the peace process with the Palestinians....
Israel has upped its verbal tirade against Iran, and there is evidence of a media campaign with one, simple message: If the world doesn't halt Iran's nuclearization, Israel will act alone, and it is already preparing for such an eventuality....
...the headline in The Atlantic - "Netanyahu to Obama: Stop Iran - Or I Will" - became the basis for a worldwide media discussion and for a debate among columnists as to whether or not Israel should attack Iran...
Israel will find it difficult to attack Iran alone without a "green light" from America, even if it is only implied and if America ostensibly turns a blind eye. But once the moment of truth arrives, it is doubtful Obama would give the order to take down the Israeli planes heading to Iran - or for that matter to declare an end of aid to Israel or to sever relations. Obviously, the U.S. will want to remain somewhat distanced from any operation that is launched, so as not to be vulnerable to the anticipated Iranian response...
A very sobering article in today's issue of Haaretz, written by one of the top journalists in Israel: