Ya’alon leans toward Israeli operation in Iran, as Obama portrays ‘weakness’
( Yaalon’s opinion has become a major story { See Reuters, below.} In essence, he’s saying no more than John McCain has been saying for a while. But ISRAEL saying it is much more powerful. Fact is, it’s what EVERY Israeli thinks. Clearly, Israel has stopped trying to make Obama happy… There’s just no point. – JW )
Moshe Ya’alon says U.S. is acting feebly – from China through the Mideast to Ukraine. ‘I hope the U.S. comes to its senses.’
Based on his evaluation that the United States isn’t going to do anything to frustrate the Iranian nuclear program, Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon said Monday he’s changed his mind and now leans toward supporting unilateral Israeli action against Iran.
“We had thought the ones who should lead the campaign against Iran is the United States,” said Ya’alon, speaking during an event at Tel Aviv University. “But at some stage the United States entered into negotiations with them, and unhappily, when it comes to negotiating at a Persian bazaar, the Iranians were better.”
If Israel had hoped others would do the job for it, this is not about to happen, Ya’alon said: “Therefore, on this matter, we have to behave as though we have nobody to look out for us but ourselves.”
His words attest to a sea-change in his attitude regarding how Israel should contend with the Iranian nuclear program. Under the previous government, Ya’alon had led the opposition in the security cabinet to a solo Israeli attack on Iran, even exchanging sharp words on the issue with the defense minister at the time, Ehud Barak. Ya’alon had taken the position that “the work of righteous men shall be done by others” – meaning the United States should be the one to attack Iran’s nuclear facilities.
Evidently, he no longer believes this is going to happen, and is nearing the position of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who signals the belief that Israel should be behaving as though it’s on its own, right now.
Ya’alon was sharply critical on Monday of Washington’s behavior regarding Iran, even hinting that U.S. President Barack Obama would prefer to pass the hot potato to his successor at the White House. “People know that Iran cheats,” Ya’alon said. “But comfortable Westerners prefer to put off confrontation. If possible, to next year, or the next president. But in the end, it will blow up.”
From Iran being “on its knees” thanks to economic pressure and onerous diplomatic isolation, from fearing an internal eruption and military threat, Iran cleverly led a “smile offensive,” Ya’alon said, extracting itself from crisis.
“There have been delays in the nuclear program, but the [interim] agreement [signed between Iran and the superpowers in Geneva] is very convenient for the Iranians,” Ya’alon said. “They’re settling down at the threshold and can decide when to make the breakthrough to a nuclear bomb.”
Ya’alon’s criticism of Obama’s foreign policy didn’t stop with Iran. The minister repeated a number of times during his address that Washington has been showing weakness everywhere in the world. “The moderate Sunni camp in the area expected the United States to support it, and to be firm, like Russia’s support for the Shi’ite axis,” Ya’alon said. “I heard voices of disappointment in the region. I was in Singapore and heard disappointment about China getting stronger and the U.S. getting weaker. Look what’s happening in Ukraine, where the United States is demonstrating weakness, unfortunately.”
If the American government persists in demonstrating weakness on the international front, the United States’ own national security will be badly damaged, Ya’alon said. “If you sit and wait at home, the terrorism will come again,” he said. “Even if you hunker down, it will come. This is a war of civilizations. If your image is feebleness, it doesn’t pay in the world. Nobody will replace the United States as global policeman. I hope the United States comes to its senses. If it doesn’t, it will challenge the world order, and the United States is the one that will suffer.”
Discussing the relations between Israel and the United States on the security and diplomatic fronts, Ya’alon said that U.S. military aid to Israel needs to be “seen in proportion”.
“It isn’t a favor America is doing, it’s in their interest,” he said. Israel not only takes from Washington, the minister added — it also gives. “They get quality intelligence and technology,” he said. “We invented Iron Dome. The wings of the F-35 stealth fighter – we invented. We invented the Arrow,” an anti-ballistic missile.
Ya’alon also took aim at the Israeli left, implying that Justice Minister Tzipi Livni was encouraging international elements to apply pressure to Israel. “We have a serious problem of self-accusation,” he said. “There are circles where Israelis and Arabs meet. The Arabs accuse the Jews and the Jews accuse themselves.”
Hinting plainly at Livni, Ya’alon said, “There are elements within the government that have lost their equilibrium, and blame us” for the failure of negotiations with the Palestinians. “They say, why are we building? [Settlements.] Why don’t we give more? Then it becomes very convenient for everybody outside to pounce on us. We have too much self-accusation, which attracts fire, and causes people to press us and demand concessions.”
WarSclerotic 
March 18, 2014 at 7:16 PM
No amount of bs like this will force any nato member to attack iran like the Ukraine is our problem iran is yours instead of talking act as time is running out
March 18, 2014 at 9:47 PM
He is just sayíng what I’m saying now for well over one year.
At that time I was called a ‘wingnut’ and other funny names by some people.
No, I’m not a prophet. Anybody could have come to that conclusion.
I did not only read Obavez’ fine speeches very carefully and as objectively as possible but I also looked into his past and judged him only by his actions (or inactions) instead of his words.
I also said at that time that I was the first to admit that I’m wrong with regards to Obavez if he was behaving differently. Sadly, I was not wrong.
I understand that some good people could not imagine, could not understand, could just not comprehend the dramatic shift that has taken place in US policy.
Sometimes outsiders see the picture clearer than the people directly involved.
It has taken Ya’alon long enough to understand but now he has to transform these words into strategic, political and tactical plans and put them into action.
“Therefore, on this matter, we have to behave as though we have nobody to look out for us but ourselves.”
March 19, 2014 at 6:31 AM
As I see Mr BHO, judging him by his actions / nonactions, considering his past (where not hidden/obstructed) I have come to the conclusion that on his agenda ( given to him by ? ) is the destruction of the former pillar/guarantor of western / christian / democratical societies of the western world, which is the USA. Once the USA would be ruined, it would be easy to topple the rest of the west. I assume Mr BHO is being manipulated himself (AKA of a mancurian candidate ), but the tasks given to him he supports wholeheartedly. Part of this / his agenda is the battle against Israel : Mr BHO is supporting muslim terrorists like MB, muslim Terror states like Iran – the assumption that Mr BHO is muslim himself is not way off. Therefore its no surprise that Mr BHO’s puppet (Mr Kerry ) is working hard to push Israel into the corner / into more dangerous deals. Its also no surprise that Mrs S.Power as a BHO adviser is suggesting to invade Israel…..This is all worrysome, but I’m telling people we mustnt primarly worry for Israels future – because Israel is given a future by her God ! But we should extremly worry for those ( like the present US administration / the nation of USA) who wanna divide Gods land Israel ! They could any moment find themselves divided and pushed into the hands of their enemies ! ( Isnt the USA already for a good part in the hands of their enemies…….?)
March 19, 2014 at 10:25 AM
I remember vaguely somebody here who told us ; BIBI watch your back
March 19, 2014 at 10:30 AM
That same person ask the the commenter’s here if it was strategical important fore russia if iran got a nuke, he never got an answer.
March 19, 2014 at 10:54 AM
The short answer is: no.
The correct answer (in my view) is:
It is strategically important for Russia that Iran continues to be a threat to the West (that includes Israel) and America’s allies (the Saudis).
Whether the Iranians aquire a nuke or not is not of great concern to the Russians.
I disagree with those who say that Russia is not interested in Iran getting nukes.
Russia simply does not care.
March 19, 2014 at 12:25 PM
“Whether the Iranians aquire a nuke or not is not of great concern to the Russians. Russia simply does not care”. Well, Russia is as dumb as the Soviet Union used to be in 1941 when they were attacked by the Nazis. On the Issue of the Iranian threat they are as dumb as the rest of the world although one would have thought they would have learned something.
Re-reading George F. Kennan’s Memoirs – Why is there nobody today to write The Long Telegram on Iran?
http://madisdead.blogspot.co.il/2013/11/re-reading-george-f-kennans-memoirs.html
Raw propaganda
http://madisdead.blogspot.co.il/2014/03/off-topic-raw-propaganda.html
March 19, 2014 at 2:53 PM
That’s right AR. A good example of this is China and it’s pain in the butt proxy, the North Koreans. But then, they were ‘allowed’ to get a nuke. Hmmm.
March 19, 2014 at 3:07 PM
What we are witnessing today folks is a glimpse of a world without USA intervention. Not a pretty sight even as the ‘withdrawal’ begins. A lot of countries want the USA to stay out of world affairs while many do not. Either way, the USA received condemnation for its actions. If this is part of a long term trend for the US, disarray and chaos will grow daily with tin pot dictators moving in for the kill.
March 19, 2014 at 3:23 PM
Absolutely, 100% correct.
March 19, 2014 at 4:50 PM
That are a short 1039 days LS