Eye on the Enemy: Dispute with Washington on Iran
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Tel Aviv long-range missile drill
Dispute with Washington on Iran
Channel 2
"Israeli" Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated on Wednesday his instructions to the ministers, not to make any public statements on Iran, without coordinating with him in advance. The gossip and the debate on this subject which are making the headlines are harmful, particularly before the meeting to be held with Obama in a week and a half.
Yesterday it was Barak and Peres, and today the U.S. media kept talking about it, LA Times wrote today that an American intelligence agency is still claiming that Iran isn't developing any nuclear weapons, which opposes the "Israeli" intelligence estimates.
After further examination, it turned out that "Israel" doesn't oppose the information, yet it opposes the way they are being displayed. According to a senior political "Israeli" official, "there is no disagreement between "Israel" and the U.S. regarding the intelligence info; "Israel" also knows that Iran hasn't commenced developing a nuclear weapon in public, but there is an "Israeli"-American consensus that Iran is progressing at all levels in order to achieve its goal within a short time, and here lies the real danger.
Next week, "defense" minister Barak will fly to Washington to coordinate this issue, and 10 days after Peres and Netanyahu will be present at the White House too, which will be an opportunity to demarcate the mutual red lines.
Regarding the sanctions, "Israel" is calling for toughening and bringing them into effect as soon as possible. For its part, the United States demands to let the sanction take their time in order to examine their impact. On the issue of the attack, "Israel" is not willing to abide by restrictions, while the United States calls for coordinating and reporting. The chemistry between Obama and Netanyahu is so far non-existent, but both can surprise us with a late honeymoon. This is a good thing for the two leaders, but it is unclear if they are able to do that. "
Shalom: Can't coexist with a nuclear Iran
"Israeli" International Station
Deputy Prime Minister Silvan Shalom said the whole world cannot accept a nuclear Iran, stressing the need to take every possible measure to induce Iran to halt its nuclear program. A nuclear Iran would cause the outbreak of a nuclear arms race in the Middle East that will upset the balance of power in the region, Shalom added in an interview with our correspondent.
Shalom added, "We are not talking about an attack in public, but we are saying that we cannot live with a nuclear Iran. However, I do not want to go into the subject of attacking Iran, we are working with the international community and especially the United States to stop the Iranian nuclear plan, but we also say, so as the United States, that the world cannot coexist - and of course "Israel" - with a nuclear Iran. You want me to tell you in advance that such an option is not on the table, and the other option is? We are not talking about that, it's about the need to halt the Iranian nuclear plan, if that is done by sanctions, it will be the right step.
Ynet
Security officials are taking the threat of long-range rockets being fired at central "Israel" from the Gaza Strip seriously: The exercise, to be held in the mid of next month, will simulate rocket attacks on central "Israel" that are not undertaken in the framework of an all-out regional war, unlike previous missile drills.
The "Hit to the Heart" drill will be held on March 14 in the form of a war game held by senior officials and simulating rocket attacks launched without prior warning.
The exercise will involve the National Emergency Authority, "IDF" Home Front Command, the national information headquarters, "Israel" Police, Magen David Adom emergency services, the Ministry of Public Security and the Education Ministry.
According to the scenario to be simulated, immediately after an anti-rocket siren throughout central "Israel" the Home Front Command's hotline will receive tens of thousands of calls from residents wondering why the siren sounded and seeking further instructions.
In the framework of the drill, two minutes after the siren will sound two rockets will be landing in the center of the country - one in Ramat Gan's Ayalon Mall and the other in southern Tel Aviv.
As the war game is aimed for senior commanders, no actual siren will be activated and the public will not be asked to take part in the exercise.
Source: Hebrew Newspapers, Translated by moqawama.org
