Netanyahu adjourns Iran security meeting over leak
(JPost) – In a rare and dramatic move, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Wednesday adjourned, because of leaks to the press, the second part of a security cabinet meeting that began Tuesday and dealt with Iran.
Netanyahu, according to a statement issued by his office, said at the outset of the meeting that “something grave happened shortly after the conclusion of the meeting yesterday: leaks from the security cabinet meeting.”
Netanyahu convened the security cabinet on Tuesday for an annual meeting on the country’s intelligence assessments, a meeting that dealt in depth with the Iranian issue.
Netanyahu said the security of the country rests on the ability of the security cabinet to hold classified and in-depth discussions where all the “facts, opinions and ramifications” are presented.
Netanyahu’s ire was apparently aroused by the lead headline in Wednesday’s Yediot Aharonot, which read: “Disagreement about Iran among the intelligence agencies.”
(Israel Matzav) – A report in Tuesday’s Maariv claims that the United States is going to give Israel bunker busters and refueling aircraft in exchange for Israel holding off a strike against Iran until after the US Presidential elections.
The United States may supply Israel with advanced Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) bunker-buster bombs that can penetrate through up to 60 feet (almost 20 meters) of reinforced concrete, Maariv reports. This is part of a deal being worked out between the countries, which also includes the supply of refueling jets.
My earlier analysis – GBU-57A/B MOP bunker busters can be delivered only by the B-52 and B-2a stealth bombers
More below the fold …
Liberman praises Obama, talks tough on Iran
(JPost) – Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman issued praise for the policies of United States President Barack Obama’s administration Tuesday at a pre-Rosh Hashana toast for activists of his Yisrael Beytenu party at Jerusalem’s Shalom Hotel.
Liberman’s comments come at a time when Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has been issuing veiled public criticism of Obama’s Iran policies. While the foreign minister did not mention the US president by name, his comments could aid Democratic efforts to market Obama as pro-Israel.
“The US increased funding for Iron Dome. Even if we disagree sometimes and even if there is commentary that suggests otherwise, we must say we that have no better friend than the US.”
Liberman hinted at support for a possible Israeli strike on Iran when he said that Yisrael Beytenu’s presence in the coalition makes the government “more serious and determined to defend the interests of Israel.”
Israeli war drums muted on Iran
(Guardian) – The odds against an Israeli military strike on Iran in the next few months appear to be lengthening, and perhaps the strongest evidence comes from none other than Binyamin Netanyahu, the man who has beaten the war drums loudest over the past few months.
By calling for clear international (read US) ‘red lines’ containing Iran’s nuclear programme, the Israeli prime minister has put the focus back on diplomacy, and given himself a ladder to climb down from his earlier rhetoric.
Meanwhile, Ehud Barak, the defence minister who had claimed that Iran was approaching a ‘zone of immunity‘ beyond which it could not be stopped, is now reported to be against an Israeli attack (£) before the coming US presidential elections.
Columnists like Ofer Shelach from Yediot Achronot suggested that Netanyahu is actually pulling back from the brink.
“Netanyahu realizes that he’s gone too far,” Shelach wrote. “The rhetoric that linked the possibility of an attack to the U.S. election date, on the grounds that if Obama were elected this would tie Israel’s hands, lacked intrinsic logic and also crossed a line in meddling in the U.S. election campaign.”
- Former CIA Director Michael Hayden says no need to attack Iran now
- Erdogan: Israel strike on Iran – ‘apocalypse’
