Israel Matzav

Let's hear it for George W. Bush!

Most of us here in Israel are very thankful that the President of the United States is George W. Bush (link in Hebrew) and not John F. Kerry. Maariv is reporting today that Bush told French President Jacques Chirac that he would 'understand' if Israel made a pre-emptive strike on Iraq's nuclear plants.

The story is based upon French diplomatic sources who are reporting on a summit that took place approximately five weeks ago between Bush and Chirac. Chirac asked Bush if he thought Israel would attack Iran, and Bush said, "we cannot discount that possibility, and if it happens, I will understand it." According to Maariv, Bush's French hosts were 'surprised' at his answer to the question.

Meanwhile, in an interview with a newsletter distributed for free to a network of synagogues, MK Effie Eitam (National Religious Party - National Union) said that Israel has to prepare to take military action against Iran's nuclear capability. "I'm not saying that we shouldn't make every effort [to resolve the matter diplomatically], but we have to prepare for military action against Iran. Everyone who is aware of the situation knows that the chances of stopping Iran by diplomatic means or by economic sanctions are very small."

As part of military maneuvers that it is currently carrying out, Iran successfully test launched Shihab-3 missiles yesterday. The Shihab-3 is believed to have a range of 2000 kilometers, which means that it can reach Israel and US forces in the Middle East.

The head of Iran's Revolutionary Guards, Gen. Yahya Rahim Safavi, said the 10-day maneuvers, named "Great Prophet," would take place in the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman and several provinces of the country.

Safavi said the war games are aimed at demonstrating the deterrent power of the Guards against possible threats.

He stressed the drills were not a threat to neighboring countries, but his announcement came two days after US-led warships finished a two-day maneuver in the Gulf - an exercise that Iran described as "adventurist."

The state-run TV said that among the other weapons tested during the maneuvers was the Shahab-2, which Iran says has a cluster warhead that can send 1,400 bomblets at the same time. Solid-fuel Zalzal missiles also were launched, as were guided missiles as well as Scud-B, Zolfaghar-73 and Z-3, it said.

I believe that sometime after November 7, the pace of events in Iran is going to increase. But I have a lot more trust in George Bush than I do in the Olmert-Peretz-Livni government.

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 3:14 PM