Wednesday, December 27, 2006

How Long before Israel Acts?

How close is an Israeli attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities? This summer the Jerusalem Post reported that the Jewish state may have “to go it alone” in stopping Iran.

One month later Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni spoke at the United Nations about this threat to her country. She implored the international community to stand up against Iran, which she claimed is pursuing weapons to destroy Israel.

"There is no greater challenge to our values than that posed by the leaders of Iran," Ms. Livni said. "They deny and mock the Holocaust. They speak proudly and openly of their desire to wipe Israel off the map. And now, by their actions, they pursue the weapons to achieve this objective, to imperil the region and to threaten the world."

Just two weeks ago at a meeting of the European Union she said:

“This Iranian regime is a clear and present strategic threat to Israel… the delaying tactics of the Iranian regime have bought them significant leverage, and time is of the essence. The breakthrough in their technological capability can happen sooner then we think.”

Yes, and the intervention to address this threat could be likewise? How long before Israel goes it alone? The U.S. rushed a bomb shipment complete with at least 25 bunker busters to our ally this summer in their war against their democratic neighbor to the north. We currently are moving troops to Kuwait and ships to the Persian Gulf. Just weeks ago, Congress authorized a doubling of emergency military equipment to be stored in Israel. Should Israel bomb or even take over Iran’s nuclear facilities, the U.S. will be nearby to help contain any retaliatory response.

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