Israeli Officials Weigh Option of Attacking Iran Without US Consent

[Chris_]

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2010/04/20/israeli-officials-weigh-option-attacking-iran-consent/?test=latestnews

The Israeli security establishment is divided over whether it needs Washington's blessing if Israel decides to attack Iran, Israeli officials say, as the U.S. campaign for sanctions drags on and Tehran steadily develops greater nuclear capability.

Some senior Israeli officials say in interviews with the Wall Street Journal that they see signs Washington may be willing to live with a nuclear-armed Iran, an eventuality that Israel says it won't accept.

Israel says it supports the U.S.-led push for new economic sanctions against Iran. But Israeli officials have increasingly voiced frustration over the slow pace of diplomatic efforts to get sanctions in place.

Former senior members of Israel's defense establishment have weighed in recently on both sides of the debate.

"We don't have permission, and we don't need permission from the U.S.," says Ephraim Sneh, who served as deputy minister of defense under former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. But Maj. Gen. Giora Eiland, a former national security adviser, says Israel wouldn't jeopardize its relationship with the U.S. by launching a military strike against Iran without an American nod.

Late last month, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak seemed to acknowledge publicly the opposing viewpoints inside the administration.

"Only we have the exclusive responsibility when it comes to the fate and security of Israel, and only we can determine the matters pertaining to the fate of Israel and the Jewish people," Barak said. "But we must never lose sight of how important these relations are, or the ability to act in harmony and unity with the United States."

Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, reiterated Sunday the U.S. position that a military strike against Iran is a "last option."

A senior U.S. official said the U.S. has stated to Israel its opposition to unilateral Israeli action, but that there were still fears within the administration that Israel could strike Iran despite Washington's objections.

Israel's track record of coordinating such strikes with the U.S. is mixed. The country caught the U.S. by surprise with its attack on Iraq's Osirak reactor in 1981. When Israel attacked a suspected Syrian nuclear facility in 2007, Washington was given advanced warning, according to U.S. officials at the time.

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[The Village Idiot]

If a 13-year old doesn't need a parents consent for an abortion in San Diego schools, then Israel has every right to do this without the US consent.

[DumbAss Tanker]

Their options are rapidly narrowing to this alone.

There is extremely slight chance Obama will authorize us to use force or cooperate covertly with an Israeli strike. 

It is even less likely that ANY level of international sanctions that have the slightest chance of ever being agreed to will dissuade Iran from proceeding on its chosen path.

[Chris_]

Their options are rapidly narrowing to this alone.

There is extremely slight chance Obama will authorize us to use force or cooperate covertly with an Israeli strike. 

It is even less likely that ANY level of international sanctions that have the slightest chance of ever being agreed to will dissuade Iran from proceeding on its chosen path.

Agreed.....

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[Hawkgirl]

China is reluctant in joining any effort to impose sanctions on Iran...in fact, they've been doing the opposite by trying to slow it down.  With out China and Russia on board....sanctions won't work.  I think Israel knows what it must do...and are basically announcing it.

[rich_t]

I for one will applaude Isreal for doing what they must on this issue.

[zeitgeist]

If a 13-year old doesn't need a parents consent for an abortion in San Diego schools, then Israel has every right to do this without the US consent.

Point well taken.

Posted by: rich_t 

I for one will applaude Isreal for doing what they must on this issue

Agreed.

[Red October]

I propose a new Iranian national anthem.