Playing with fire

Israel's fiery rhetoric on Iran might spur a pre-emptive strike... or Israel might attack on its own. What will the world do to defuse this crisis? Will the American president pound on the table and use the language of sanctions with Israel?

Defense Minister Ehud Barak, one of the Israeli officials who are advocating for an attack on Iran

The various statements of senior Israeli officials concerning a military attack on Iran have caused panic amongst world leaders. The fact that this information was intentionally leaked by Ehud Barak to Nahum Barnea, a veteran journalist from the newspaper Yedioth Ahronot, demonstrates that this was a considered move and not a usual leak utilized by politicians to garner headlines.

If we ignore the pro-Israeli and pro-war declarations of the Republican presidential candidates in the US who are competing for the prize of “Israel’s best friend," the reaction of other world leaders demonstrates true concern. The French Prime Minister said, for example, that his country is “very concerned about the possibility of the military aspects of the Iranian nuclear plan, but objects to any possibility of attack on the Islamic republic as such an attack will destabilize the stability of the region."

One thing is certain: the Iranian leadership will not retreat from its plans as a result of Israeli threats. It is even possible that they will decide to launch a preventative attack. The fact that the Israeli leadership is willing to ignore the warnings of Washington and begin war without an American green light demonstrates that we may have already reached the point of no return due to the irresponsibility of Israel’s current leadership.

Akiva Eldar, one of the numerous Israeli journalists concerned with the irresponsibility of the current leadership and some of its friends in the American Republican party, summarized it as follows: “If the Americans are so concerned with a “second Holocaust” and feel that they have exhausted diplomatic options, can they please take action themselves? If Obama objects to a military solution then he must stop the Netanyahu-Barak couple before it is too late.”

This, in essence, is the question. Barack Obama decided not to lose time (and votes) by pressuring the Israeli government on things such as construction in the settlements. His harsh words in an informal conversation with French President Nicolas Sarkozy--during which the latter called Netanyahu a liar--testify to what extent he is sick of the behaviour of the Israeli government.

Now, the danger of an all-encompassing regional conflict is much more worrisome than the ongoing settlements. Will the American president pound on the table and use the language of sanctions with Israel? This is the sole way to prevent a catastrophe for the residents of the Middle East and the world.

Translated to English for the Alternative Information Center (AIC)