Thread: Should Israel Attack Iran's Nuclear Reactor?

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Why should 2 very influential nations in the region go to war based on a manufactured animosity? [/quote]

To answer that you must ask at least one man. Iran President Ahmadinejad.

No one on the Israeli side can answer the question. What they can tell you, is between Ahmadinejad’s rhetoric and the actions that have either ordered or at least encouraged and resupplied both Hezbolla and Hamas to attack Israel directly. Both are known Iranian subcontractors. Particularly Hezbolla.

Neither of these issues were “MANUFACTURED” by anyone except IRAN.

There is no single understandable reason for this rivalry. Sure there are plenty of fiery rhetorics but deep down Iran and Israel share plenty of common interest in the region and I have no doubt the leaders from both sides understand this very well. Israel is using Iranian's confrontational attitude for international and Iran is using the same for domestic and regional gains.

Simply based on fantasy. You are wrong. Rhetoric is not to be ignored when spouted by the highest leaders in a government. Israel’s rhetoric is simply a response.

Iran threatens with rhetoric and hostile actions, that are rather obvious to the ‘UNPREJUDICED’ observer.

Also I personally don't believe Iran will make any nuclear weapons at least not in present environment in which so many nations are against the program as well as Iranian Leaders openly declaring that "possessing WMD is against Islam" repeatedly. IMHO They will continue the nuclear R&D all the way to the point of just short of making the actual bomb and then they will stop.

Why? Religious belief? None of the facts point to an Iranian peaceful nuclear program. My guess is that is why they WILL NOT ALLOW peaceful UN inspections. Or other international Nuclear regulatory agencies to inspect either. Of course it’s a peaceful program. What kool aide do you drink with your corn flakes?

Your religious belief in the goodness of Iran and their nuclear program will not keep Israeli children safe. That my friend is the bottom line.

One very important overlooked fact, is that it can only help Israel's case to hype up a threat, however dubious that may be. By maintaining a political image of being underthreat, Israel benefits substantially from Military funding from the U.S and private individuals.

Very true. It is also true, that if Iran continues doing what it IS IN FACT DOING, it does not help Israel’s case to be wiped off the face of the earth either.

If it is true or reasonably possible, it isn’t paranoia, it is a REAL threat.

The belief that this is all to get more money from the USA or other international sources, is what we call a RED HERRING.

Regardless of the reality of the threat (the 'material' is on the shores of the Persion Gulf for pete's sake, extra-ordinarily easy to neutralise or dissaude) it is an important part of Israels economy to be on the international 'military social security doll' list.

Either that or have to fight their enemies, Hezbolla, Hamas, Syria, Iran with out international support. Unless one was very, very foolish, if I was jewish or an Israeli I would continue to get as much military support as I could.

The more it is hyped, on the news, in the papers, in political statements from politicians, the more justification is gets for funding.

I guess you pro Iran folks are going to have to put a gag in Ahmadinejad’s mouth. He is singularly why the media is all over this. There are other reasons, but his rhetoric brings everyone back to point. The Iranian guy, not Israel’s guy.

And I would not take Ahmadinejad too seriously. He is just a populist, playing to his home crowd.

Exactly what Neville Chamberlain said about Hitler. And Hitler was.

Well, so far Iran has stated repeatedly that it is not seeking a nucear weapon. Until it changes this declaration we have to assume that it intends not to develop one.

Why? It is getting equipment that is not needed for peaceful use of nuclear power. Some of the equipment is only used for the much more difficult manufacturing of nuclear weapons grade plutonium. Now why would YOU THINK they would do that. And of course let no one inspect either.

I maintain that it's too risky to start a war with Iran over the possibility that it might be building a nuclear weapon.

For who? You? I bet if your children were sleeping in Israel every night you might have a very different opinion.

The Israeli’s don’t have a choice. If you are right, they live, if you are wrong, they die.

With do respect, I ain’t going to place my life or my families lives in jeopardy because you THINK IT WILL NOT HAPPEN. Sounds a lot like pre World War II Europe around here.

Iran is the entity raising the stakes. They can lower the stakes, but choose not to. WHY? Israel is in no danger of attacking Iran for any other reason. None.

I agree with this. I think a nuclear-armed Iran is a manageable problem.

Just like above. For who? If my family had to sleep in Israel, I would not consider that “manageable”. I would end the risk.

I will not trust my families lives to an unelected Theocratic Mullah or Priest, and his anti Israeli Presidents rhetoric. There are dangerous reactions to Iran’s actions and Rhetoric. They, Iran, can change that situation, but choose not to.

Be very careful what you sow, because what you reap from that can be the whirlwind.

It should also be noted that under Iran's constitution, unlike in many other republics, the President is not the C-in-C of the armed forces.

Yea, an unelected Mullah is. I don’t trust either one of them, for exactly the same reason. There is no one to reign in the Top Mullah, and there is no one reigning in Ahmadinejad.

Once again, as an Israeli, I would not trust my families existence to either of these Iranians. There as still in Israel, people who heard in many ways exactly the same rhetoric from Adolph Hitler, and the world stood around and said don’t worry.

The world was wrong.

Regarding the quarter-century or so that has passed since the Iranian Revolution, I see little evidence that those governing that country, whatever their rhetoric, are actually irrational in their conduct of foreign policy.

Say Hezbolla three times quickly.

Mr AhMADinejad is another matter: if the sins of a country's nominal leader are to be visited on its general population, I am concerned for UK (post Bliar [sic]) and US - Bush; they all seem to claim endorsement from a higher power.

You are absolutely right. The sins of a countries leader is visited on it’s general population. As we say in the USA, elections have consequences.

I don’t see any great problem in the UK but those in the UK may see much clearer and with better understanding what is happening in their own country, I do believe the USA is at the beginning of a period of great decline. Primarily because of who was elected President and his already active policies. The body politic will suffer.

I do not think anyone on this thread has mentioned Israel's possession of nuclear weapons - this was confirmed by Jimmy Carter last year.

Yes, the worst President of the 20th century was Jimmy Carter, and he is in the running for the worst President ever. So many of today’s MAJOR crisis’s, is a direct result of policy by the Carter Regime. Iran and North Korea, to name two.

What is YOUR POINT.

Why would Israel use its air force?; it too has missiles of adequate range to reach Iran.

Questionable accuracy for the mission at hand. They may feel it is the best tool at hand. They may use the Air force to move ground forces in to do the job.

If I was an Israeli, I would at least look into basing my raid(s) out of India. Come from a direction they are not expecting you.

Any person with an ounce of common sense will have serious hard time understanding this fabricated enmity among these 2 nations. They are not neighbors, they never had any sort of territorial dispute, never been any pact or treaty to be violated. Just like Israel, Iran is surrounded by threats (except for Turkmenistan perhaps) and during Iran-Iraq war Israel was the major supporter of Iran.

Actually anyone with an ounce of common sense can understand the situation clearly. It is those who are either naive or pro Iran that cannot see the problem. Either way, dangerous for Israel, and dangerous for Iran ONLY if they continue both their actions and rhetoric. The Iranians are in control. They may not like what their control of the situation may reward them with.

I guess that’s why Ahmadinejad is constantly spouting off about eradicating Israel.

Now why do you think he does that. Because he secretly “loves” Israel and wants them to be safe, reduce tensions? Words have consequences.

For above reasons and no matter how hard I try, I just can't comprehend this preposterous enmity among these 2 nations.

Then you are being naive. Are Pro Iran, or Hate Israel. Or some combination of them. Your choice.

This fake animosity can't be justified based on ideology either because Quran the Holiest book in Islam historically put the Children of Israel (Bani-Israel) exactly where they are today.

Please, Please, point to the fake part?

Talk to the leaders in Iran. Maybe they will tell you why they are behaving the way they are. I understand why Israel is behaving the way it does to Iran. It is in danger and is trying to stop or neutralize that danger.

Words have consequences.

How many Kartusha Rockets have Iran given too Hamas?

Don’t forget to include those given to Hezbolla too. Particularly those "rushed" to Hezbolla during their last fracas against Israel, and most recently those "RUSHED" to Hama's so they would not run out.

On one occasion, Iran itself is understood to have destroyed a nuclear facility near Tehran, bulldozing over the remains and replacing it with a football pitch, after its existence was revealed to UN inspectors. The regime feared that the discovery by inspectors of an undeclared nuclear facility would result in overwhelming pressure at the UN for tougher action against Iran.

I have a bridge for sale in Brooklyn if you really believe that.

I have some other options:

1. The facility is now underneath the football pitch. In my opinion this is the most probable.
2. Once spotted, the Iranian leadership doesn’t want nuclear targets inside Tehran.
3. Now that they knew the Israelis knew where it was for sure, it was doomed anyway. Move it.

I can guarantee you it wasn’t because of the fear of world opinion.

Israel shouldn't attack Iran because the effect of attacking iran will be more harmful and worse on Israel than America.
the peace is the best way

First, Israel is in this for Israel, not America.

Second, they want to stay alive, actually a rather simple concept. Self preservation

Third, not attacking first could very possibly cause the extinction of the state of Israel.

See rather simple.

I am not surprised at all, Mossad may have assassinated Gerald Bull for his involvement in Project Babylon and Iraq's SCUD missiles.

I am sure they did. Some folks think it may have been the Iraqi’s. But generally I find the Mossad is much better at these things. Much more Competent.

If Israel where to attack Iran they would have to wait for a "politicly acceptable" reason, otherwise the international backlash could be problematic.

Most of the world is against them already. Most often led by an Arab nation or one of their oldest nemesis, France.

Are they afraid of really pissing off countries that don't like them already? With apologies to Ann Coulter.

Go figure.

Fred