Netanyahu: If Israel attacks Iran, I will take responsibility for the consequences
In closed forum, PM castigates defense officials for conducting discussions on Iran in such a way as to absolve themselves of responsibility for any consequences.
Speaking in a closed meeting, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Thursday that he is not troubled by the possibility that an investigative committee could be formed after a theoretical Israeli strike on Iran.
Netanyahu criticized security establishment officials for their handling of the issue, hinting that they are primarily concerned about avoiding having to take responsibility for their actions.
Two officials who attended the meeting, who asked to remain nameless, said that the majority of those present left the meeting feeling that Netanyahu remains steadfast in his determination not to rely on the United States, and can be expected to order the IDF to attack Iran in the coming months.
Others present at the meeting however, pointed out that Netanyahu’s comments seemed to be part of the “psychological warfare” campaign that Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak are conducting, in order to pressure the U.S. into attacking Iran itself.
At one point during the meeting, a participant asked Netanyahu what he thinks could possibly happen the day after an Israeli strike on Iran. According to one official present at the meeting, the question angered Netanyahu. “If an investigative committee is formed, I’ll go and say that I, I am responsible,” said Netanyahu, as he pounded the table, and his chest, with his fist.
The fuming Netanyahu didn’t stop there. “I’ve had enough of this atmosphere,” he said. “It’s also felt in other discussions [on Iran], people keep showing me presentations prepared as if for an investigative committee. I’ve told them to stop with these presentations, stop speaking on protocol, and get to the point,” said Netanyahu.
Netanyahu made it clear to those present that he prefers that the U.S. “do the work,” though he admits that the U.S. is not prepared to pursue a military option at this point.
According to Netanyahu, certain criteria would have to exist before the U.S. would be willing to attack Iran. If Iran were to begin enriching uranium to 90 percent instead of 20, attack American interests in the Persian gulf, of carry out a massive attack against Israel, then the U.S. might be prepared to strike.
Netanyahu stated that the chances of these things happening is low, though if the U.S. does attack Iran’s nuclear facilities, Israel will not need to attack as well, explaining that “Israel will be hit with ricochets no matter what happens.”
Furthermore, Netanyahu pointed out that he holds a bi-weekly meeting to discuss that issue and prepare for it stating that “even if rockets are fired, it’s preferred over a nuclear bomb”
Netanyahu was also asked if an Israeli attack against Iranian nuclear facilities would effective enough to stop the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program, or only set it back a year or two. Yet again, Netanyahu reference the 1981 attack on Iraq’s nuclear reactor. “We also said then that it would take them two years to rebuild the reactor, but the fact remains that to this day Iraq doesn’t have a nuclear weapon,” said Netanyahu.
The Prime Minister’s Office responded “we do not comment on issues discussed in closed session discussions, also as statements extracted from them are inaccurate.”
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August 3, 2012 at 8:10 PM
Is it just me or does Israel receive a visit from a high ranking official from another country just as Israel prepares to launch an attack on Iran? Of course, I have no way of knowing, but there’s been a lot of visitors lately who seem to hang around for a while. But then again, maybe it’s a stretch of the imagination on my part.
August 4, 2012 at 2:00 AM
Netanyahu, this is what you were put here to do. The course of human events pivots around you!
August 4, 2012 at 10:24 PM
Military hostilities with Iran should start on September the 19th