Iran inches closer to the bomb
This time we are not dealing with an intelligence assessment based on shadowy sources, or statements by politicians on the eve of elections, but rather a technical report by United Nations experts, who examined findings in the field and whose credibility is beyond reproach. Inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency found that Iran has crossed the "technological threshold," and has built up one ton of enriched uranium. If the material undergoes further processing at the Natanz enrichment facility, it will be sufficient to produce one nuclear bomb.
The new findings heighten the sense of urgency to deal with the Iranian nuclear program while highlighting the failure of previous attempts to stop it through Security Council resolutions and economic sanctions. From Israel's standpoint, the increasing threat requires that it tighten its diplomatic coordination with the new U.S. administration. All the options at Israel's disposal depend on an understanding with the United States.
Prime minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu declared during the election campaign that the Iranian nuclear program is an "existential threat" to Israel, and that "Iran will not arm itself with a nuclear weapon, and that includes all that is required so that this possibility will not materialize." Netanyahu views Iran as the most urgent issue in a future dialogue with the Obama administration.
Meanwhile, the new administration is keeping its distance from Israel, signaling that it does not unreservedly support its policies. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton embarked on a trip to Asia before visiting the Middle East. Senator John Kerry, who is chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, visited Hamas-controlled Gaza and also traveled to Damascus. Obama envoy George Mitchell began his Middle East visit in Cairo, not Jerusalem. These instances indicate that Israel needs to earn the trust of the administration in Washington.
Israel must support the diplomatic efforts Obama is planning to pursue with Iran to remove the nuclear threat. But for Israel's interests to be adequately represented in the negotiations, it needs to contribute its fair share. It must refrain from impassioned declarations that will strain already-high tensions in the region. It must avoid provocations in the settlements and unnecessarily resorting to force in the territories, which will complicate matters for Obama. It must also understand that there are no free lunches in diplomacy and that an American push for a strategic "arrangement" of the Middle East will also encapsulate Israel's demands. This is Netanyahu's challenge.
© Copyright 2009 Haaretz. All rights reserved
Last update - 01:28 22/02/2009
The new findings heighten the sense of urgency to deal with the Iranian nuclear program while highlighting the failure of previous attempts to stop it through Security Council resolutions and economic sanctions. From Israel's standpoint, the increasing threat requires that it tighten its diplomatic coordination with the new U.S. administration. All the options at Israel's disposal depend on an understanding with the United States.
Prime minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu declared during the election campaign that the Iranian nuclear program is an "existential threat" to Israel, and that "Iran will not arm itself with a nuclear weapon, and that includes all that is required so that this possibility will not materialize." Netanyahu views Iran as the most urgent issue in a future dialogue with the Obama administration.
Meanwhile, the new administration is keeping its distance from Israel, signaling that it does not unreservedly support its policies. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton embarked on a trip to Asia before visiting the Middle East. Senator John Kerry, who is chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, visited Hamas-controlled Gaza and also traveled to Damascus. Obama envoy George Mitchell began his Middle East visit in Cairo, not Jerusalem. These instances indicate that Israel needs to earn the trust of the administration in Washington.
Israel must support the diplomatic efforts Obama is planning to pursue with Iran to remove the nuclear threat. But for Israel's interests to be adequately represented in the negotiations, it needs to contribute its fair share. It must refrain from impassioned declarations that will strain already-high tensions in the region. It must avoid provocations in the settlements and unnecessarily resorting to force in the territories, which will complicate matters for Obama. It must also understand that there are no free lunches in diplomacy and that an American push for a strategic "arrangement" of the Middle East will also encapsulate Israel's demands. This is Netanyahu's challenge.
© Copyright 2009 Haaretz. All rights reserved
Last update - 01:28 22/02/2009
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