The flurry of stories about an imminent Israeli attack on Iran has turned into a blizzard. In the last week and even more so this weekend, the public a political heat has turned up considerably.
The former chief of staff to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Saturday an Israeli strike against Iran’s nuclear facilities is “imminent.”
Naftali Bennett appeared on Fox News’ “Huckabee” and painted a dire picture of a world with a nuclear Iran, saying Israel will not hesitate to take action if necessary — and that time is of the essence.
“We’re at the very last moment. This is going to be the first time in history that a maniacal, radical Islamic regime will acquire a nuclear weapon,” he said. “The day after they have a bomb will be a different day for the entire world.”
Calling Iran “an octopus of terror,” Bennett told host Mike Huckabee in no uncertain terms: “We have to stop them, and yes, it is imminent.”
And the Obama administration must think this is legit because they are in full CYA mode developing as much distance and plausible deniability as possible.
JERUSALEM (AP) — The U.S. and Britain on Sunday urged Israel not to attack Iran’s nuclear program as the White House’s national security adviser arrived in the region, reflecting growing international jitters that the Israelis are poised to strike.
In their warnings, both the chairman of the U.S. joint chiefs of staff, Gen. Martin Dempsey, and British Foreign Secretary William Hague said an Israeli attack on Iran would have grave consequences for the entire region and urged Israel to give international sanctions against Tehran more time to work. Dempsey said an Israeli attack is “not prudent,” and Hague said it would not be “a wise thing.” It was not known whether their messages were coordinated.
For sure, it is a reasonable topic of debate as to whether an Israeli strike and the inevitable and ugly fallout that would ensue is the best course of action right now. That said, I find it despicable that the US is telegraphing Israel’s move and trying to get some cover. That is not how friends act.
A strike right now is a debatable topic, but what is not debatable is that Israel is in a fight for its very existence.
While their remains the possibility that all this chatter is intended to make Iran sit up and listen and that such a strike is not in the cards right now, but that seems less and less likely each day.
If this happens, bad things man. Bad things. 2008 will seem like the good ol’ days.
