(Institute for Contemporary Affairs-Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs) Maj.-Gen. (res.) Amos Gilad - Israel is living in a most convenient period from a security standpoint. Suicide attacks are behind us and there is deterrence against rocket attacks. At the same time there are unprecedented challenges to our national security including the possibility of a nuclear Iran or even a nuclear Middle East. Iran's capabilities for developing nuclear weapons are no longer a question. They only have to make the decision. They have the know-how to assemble nuclear warheads on missiles if they want to. Today there is a consensus among the world's intelligence agencies: Iran is a threat. I cannot imagine Saudi Arabia, Egypt, or any of the other Arab countries tolerating a nuclear Iran. There is an Arabic word, "ajami," which expresses disgust of the Persians. If you ask any Arab leader about the greatest threat, he will say Iran - not Israel - but not publicly. The terrorists in Sinai are financed by Iran and they want to murder as many Israelis as they can. If there is terror from Sinai, this complicates Israel's relationship with Egypt, which is why we choose to preemptively kill the terrorists. The Iranians and the Turks have a 1,000-year-old tradition of rivalry. I cannot believe that the Turks believe there is room for friendship with Iran. If Iran goes nuclear, the Turks will be very upset. There are political contacts all the time between Israel and the PA. But even if we sign an agreement tomorrow, it cannot be implemented as long as there is a division between Hamas and the PA. If we only sign with Abbas or his colleagues, it would just be a treaty between Israel and Ramallah, and no Palestinian would agree to this. The writer is Director of Policy and Political-Military Affairs at the Israel Ministry of Defense.
2012-06-01 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive