Israel Won't Use Force Against Iran

JERUSALEM -- Israeli Vice Premier Shimon Peres says that Israel does not intend to use military force against Iran, which Israel suspects is building nuclear bombs.

In addition to Iran's nuclear program, Israel considers the Mideast country a threat because of repeated declarations by its president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, that the Jewish state should be wiped off the map.

Peres spoke Tuesday during "The Doha Debates," a project in which world leaders discuss current events with students in mideast nation of Qatar.

According to taped excerpts of Peres' comments, the Israeli leader denied that Israel intended to strike Iran's nuclear facilities.

Moderator Tim Sebastian recalled that Peres said last week at the Davos economic forum that there are only two options for dealing with Iran -- regime change or military action.

Asked if he would rule out military action, Peres said, "By Israel, yes. Israel doesn't intend to use military action."

Peres also said that Israel would not interfere in the internal affairs of Iran. Ahmadinejad "is a problem for the Iranian people because he does not carry neither a promise, nor a solution," he said.

Qatar and Israel have low-level relations, and visits by senior officials are rare.

Israeli leaders have called for international action to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Israel has said it would take part in such an effort, emphasizing diplomatic means, but it has not ruled out using its military.

There has been speculation about the possibility that Israel might send its air force to bomb Iranian nuclear installations, as it did in 1981, when Israel destroyed the Iraqi nuclear reactor in an airstrike. But most experts believe that would not be possible against Iran, which has spread its nuclear facilities around the country, hiding many of the installations.

They need to have Bibi back as PM. Israel is losing it's balls.

iluvfreebeer wrote:They need to have Bibi back as PM. Israel is losing it's balls.

It seems that some of this weak PC BS has infiltrated some of the Israeli government.

i respect that standpoint - pick your battles - im sure the moment iran shaves a hair off an israeli that they will retaliate, but they won't go and invade or anything. besides, the people's faith is a little shaken in the military following the lebanon debacle - it was poorly planned and too much collateral damage was sustained. israel needs to regroup, to rethink its strategies etc but im positive they will retaliate without hesitating if anyone attacks them.

Popov wrote:i respect that standpoint - pick your battles - im sure the moment iran shaves a hair off an israeli that they will retaliate,

But if they turn them to glass will it matter.

Israel is a small country and easy to obliterate. Like yom kippur it will be a suprise attack then lefties will say well its over better not escalate.

On the good side if they do punch a big enough craters the water that flows in will alleviate rising sea levels due to global warming.

Israel is in a tinderbox, they are waiting for the right reason, but they will act.

Any country that advertises their intentions far in advance, like we do thanks to all the leaks from our government, is either just bluffing or stupid. Surprise is the best method of attack, it doesn't give the other side a chance to be prepared.