Blast off! We can hit Iran, warns Sharon

Jewish Telegraph. ^ | December 9, 2005

[billorites]

IN the week when Israel successfully test-fired its latest Arrow rocket, Ariel Sharon hinted that military action could halt Iran's nuclear programme.

"Such a capability exists," the Israeli prime minister said.

Sharon added that Israel would not sit idly by if diplomacy fails.

"Israel, and not just Israel, cannot accept a situation in which Iran has nuclear weapons," he said.

"Israel is not helpless and is taking all the steps it needs to be taking."

Foreign experts speculate that Israel, which bombed Iraq's nuclear reactor at Osirak in 1981, could take similar action against Iran if it believes the Islamic republic is on the verge of acquiring nuclear weapons.

Former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu this week joined the clamour for a pre-emptive strike on Iran.

"I will continue the tradition established by Menachem Begin, who did not allow Iraq to develop such a nuclear threat against Israel, and by a daring and courageous act gave us two decades of tranquillity," Netanyahu said. "I believe that this is what Israel has to do." The situation was made more serious by an announcement by a Iranian news agency that Iran would begin construction on TWENTY nuclear reactors.

Work will begin in March. One of them is to be funded by Russia at a cost of $1 billion. Iran already has a reactor under construction at Bushehr.

Israeli officials called it a "very dangerous move."

A senior US official called on the international community to condemn "Iran's disruptive role" in the search for Israeli-Arab peace.

Nicholas Burns, the under-secretary of state for political affairs, said: "When Palestinians and Israelis are rightfully celebrating the benefits of Gaza withdrawal and the opening of the border crossing at Rafah, Iran is moving in the opposite direction by encouraging terrorism."

Israel considers Iran its greatest threat and has been working to counter the Iranian Shahab missiles, which Tehran says can reach Israel.

As a consequence, Israel carried out a successful test of its Arrow missile defence system. An Arrow missile intercepted and destroyed a target similar to Iran's long-range Shahab-3 missile.

The test was launched from an air force base in the centre of Israel and struck a target over the Mediterranean.

[i_dont_chat]

Bomb's away!

[mc5cents]

INCOMING!!!!

[Aquinasfan]

I'm all for Israel taking out Iran's reactors, but I don't see how they won't come under worldwide condemnation for "offensive" military action. More importantly, such a move by Israel could prompt the Mohammedan crazies in Pakistan to make a play for Pakistan's nuclear weapons.

[Mike Darancette]

"Such a capability exists," the Israeli prime minister said.

That's warning #1. You're up Iran.

[freedomson]

The balloon is about to go up.

[ken5050]

I wonder how this is being war gamed? Israel will significantly degrade Iran's nuclear capability, one way or the other..either by bombs, or comando strikes, or whatever means necessary...So what does Iran do then?

[RightWhale]

The crazies have been trying for years to do just this. It seems to be permanently beyond the capability of crazies.

[onedoug]

We should have already been ripping up Iran's and Syria's military and political infrastructure as long as suicide bombing in Iraq and Israel continues. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia would be put on notice.

Are we not at war?

[r9etb]

Israel's got missile subs, accurate orbit-capable (and therefore ICBM-capable) rockets, and a nuclear arsenal. Sharon's not just blowing smoke....

[Recovering Hermit]

"Such a capability exists," the Israeli prime minister said.

Short but sweet.

[The South Texan]

Go Isreal. The Pro American folks in this country have your backs. The Anti American , Americans don't.

[FEARED MUTATION]

Everyone says - "Well, the Israeli jets can't fly round-trip to Iran". I'm thinking that they don't intend to do so. Perhaps some sort of water landing on barges equipped with cables? I know they don't have an aircraft carrier for takeoffs which require all those hydraulics, but aren't landings really just dependent on the securing cables?

Or, since they are planning on upgrading to our F-35, this could be a one way, throw away mission whereby they simply ditch the F-16's in the ocean near their recovery submarine?

Where there's a will, there's a way. I just seems such a shame that Israel as the representative of the West, should have to go it alone. We need to accept that the possibility of Republican defeat in the '06 and '08 elections because of our action is considerably less important than a nuclear Iran hell-bent on hell-fire for Israel.

It just couldn't be more plain to me: The Jews are God's chosen people, and we must do everything in our power to defend them. But hey, that's why some consider me an extremist!

[Aquinasfan]

We should have already been ripping up Iran's and Syria's military and political infrastructure as long as suicide bombing in Iraq and Israel continues. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia would be put on notice. Are we not at war?

That's not possible politically, and would be counterproductive to pro-democracy movements in Mohammedan countries. Additionally, Musharraf has been a half-decent ally. We shouldn't be doing Saudi Arabia any favors, though.

[billorites]

"but aren't landings really just dependent on the securing cables?"

Naval aircraft are designed and engineered differently. You couldn't land an IDF aircraft on a carrier.

They could recover to Iraq, couldn't they?

Wouldn't that get the Arabs and leftists panties in a bunch?

[section9]

Sharon did not make this statement by accident. Neither did El Bareidei last week.

The Iranians are actually trying to provoke a conflict, convinced they can win a war of attrition against the West and come out on top. However, they do not take into account the possibility that the Western Powers may use shock weapons: low yield nukes such as those used at Hiroshima-to bring about the fall of the regime. The Mullahs and Ahmeneijad are betting on an invasion and their alliance with Al Qaeda to see them through. Their assuming that bluff and bluster will win the day. What if they are wrong, however?

Ahmeneijad's remarks reflect the Hitlerian nature of the regime. Certain decisions have already been made in Washington and Jerusalem.

I suspect the stage is set, the roles are rehearsed, the lines are learned, George and Condi, Sharon and Netanyahu, Casey and Mofaz, everyone is readying their nerves. It is as if the die is yet to be cast.

Time for the warriors to take the stage and save the world from Fascism and Holocaust, this time before they happen. Only who will play the starring roles of Tibbets, Ferebee, and Van Kirk this time 'round?

The stakes are that high.

Be Seeing You,

Chris

[COBOL2Java]

Where there's a will, there's a way.

Doesn't have to be overt. I'm sure Mossad has plenty underway in covert planning.

[FEARED MUTATION]

Naval aircraft are designed and engineered differently.

Oops, forgot that. Well, this is why I'm not a great strategic planner.

[FEARED MUTATION]

Mossad has plenty

They sure do!

[billorites]

But while we're preoccupied with Iran, Hugo Chavez is gonna sucker punch us from the south and we'll be toast.