Eye on the Enemy: “Israel” Will Have To Guard Its Interests on Its Own

Army Radio

During a Knesset Finance Committee meeting, Barak stated that the events of the past year in the Mideast have lead "to the conclusion that there can be situations in which the State of "Israel" will have to guard its interests on its own, without leaning necessarily on regional or other forces for help," alluding to a possible attack against the Iranian nuclear facilities.

Barak who cited to the Committee the threats "Israel" will be facing, said that in 2012 "Israel" will be "at a critical crossroads"."Both the geopolitical and the economic situation, domestically and globally, are unique, the likes of which we've never seen," he added. "On one hand, Arab Spring, the upheaval in Arab countries, along with the changes that make it harder to predict the end of nations and regimes, have created new security challenges: Hamas in Gaza, Hizbullah in Lebanon, and Iran in the background, there are other threats as well. But there are difficult challenges and complicated uncertainties," Barak declared.

Uphold Our Ability to Threaten Iran

"Israel" Hayom - Shlomo Cesana 

A senior government official said that any public discussion over the issue of Iran "is bad and endangers national security," referring to recent reports suggesting that Prime Minister and Defense Minister have been pushing an attack on the Iranian nuclear facilities without having a public discussion on the matter.
In an interview with Army Radio, Barak said a public debate had been held on the Iranian threat for years, but that it was clear to everyone that the possibility of attacking Iran's nuclear facilities should not be discussed in public.

"I do not think that these things should be discussed on a radio program," Barak said. "I repeat that Iran's progress toward nuclear weapons is a major threat to "Israel" and the stability of the entire region, and it also constitutes a challenge to the world. We should not be taking options off the table. These are things we've been saying for years."

Education Minister Gideon Sa'ar said in a radio interview, "Someone decided to flood the public debate with this issue, but it is not in our national interest to be chatting about it. There's one thing that should be concerning every citizen in "Israel", and that is Iran's pursuit of a nuclear weapon. Everything else is less important."

Lieberman calls for a military operation in Gaza

Ma'ariv

Foreign minister and Yisrael Beiteinu leader called for an urgent meeting at the political - security mini cabinet to launch a large-scale military operation in Gaza to topple Hamas' rule. A Yisrael Beiteinu's official said that the cabinet should undergo urgent talks on this matter before a rocket hits a building full of residents and kills them, given that it's a miracle this haven't occurred yet.

At a Yisrael Beiteinu faction meeting ahead of the opening of the Knesset's winter session, Lieberman made a preliminary statement to the press addressing the government to halt its self-control policies and deal firmly with the renewal rocket attacks from Gaza. Lieberman noted that the coalition agreement between his party and Likud states that the "strategic goal of "Israel" is to topple Hamas regime in Gaza". "We will not be spat upon, we will not agree to have a terrorist group dictate our actions, "Israel" cannot agree with Hamas' game rules, for it can paralyze half of "Israel" at any moment," he said, " we won't allow a terrorist organization to control a sovereign state's way of living." 

On the international community, Lieberman commented that "what we have seen in recent years are demands to self-control, it would be very interesting to know how European leaders will behave in case their central towns were hit by Grad rockets." Lieberman made it clear that he was not willing to see the country "turn into the Middle East's ultimate sucker", and added "We have to stop being silent like fish."