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| Syria-Lebanon-Iran |
| Former defense minister Mofaz: Bolton tried to convince me to attack Iran |
| 2018-03-25 |
| Former Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz said Sunday that US President Donald Trump's newly-appointed national security advisor John Bolton had tried to convince him to attack Iran. Speaking at a conference hosted by Yediot Aharonot, Mofaz said: "I have known John Bolton since his days as US ambassador to the United Nations - he tried to convince me that Israel must attack in Iran. "I don't think that it's a wise move, not for the Americans today or for anyone until the threat becomes real," he added. In 1998, Mofaz became the sixteenth IDF chief of staff, serving until 2002. He then served as minister of defense from 2002 until 2006. "The Iranian threat is very significant for Israel's security. Iran is already at Israel's borders - in Syria and Lebanon," Mofaz warned. "It's impossible to promise a future to the children of Israel if Iran obtains a nuclear weapon." Bolton is known to be rabidly opposed to the Iran nuclear deal, and is considered a strong friend of Israel. He has also stated that the two-state solution is "dead." On Saturday night, right-wing Israeli politicians welcomed the news of the hawkish choice to replace Lt.-Gen. H.R. McMaster, who was seen as a constraining influence within Trump’s inner circle. Bolton’s appointment sends "an unequivocal message to Iran that the days of the terrible nuclear agreement are coming to an end," said Kulanu MK and former ambassador to the United States Michael Oren. "Bolton is known to hate the agreement," he said. Sitting alongside Mofaz at the conference were former defense minister Moshe Ya'alon and former IDF chiefs of staff Benny Gantz and Dan Halutz. All four panelists said they were not in favor of nixing the Iran nuclear deal. Ya'alon emphasized the importance of exhausting non-military options before using force against Iran. "Leaders in the region have understood that their armies cannot defeat the IDF, and as a result have gone in two directions," said Ya'alon. "The first is terror, guerrilla, rockets and missiles; the second is an unconventional threat, particularly nuclear," he added. "To thwart or to destroy? For as long as possible, obtain achievements without using military force. If there's no choice - it'll be necessary to use force." |
| Posted by:g(r)omgoru |
| #3 ESPECIALLY after the vasectomy... |
| Posted by: Frank G 2018-03-25 16:30 |
| #2 "until the threat becomes real," he added. That's like saying that you're not going to use birth control until your girlfriend is pregnant. |
| Posted by: Matt 2018-03-25 14:22 |
| #1 ...Anytime now, I'm expecting the breathless revelation that John Bolton turned someone into a newt. But they got better, of course. Mike |
| Posted by: Mike Kozlowski 2018-03-25 08:18 |