Jerusalem – America’s spy chief was sent on a secret mission to Israel to warn its leaders not to launch a surprise attack on Iran without notifying the US Administration.
Subscribe to our Daily Roundup Email
As Binyamin Netanyahu, the Israeli Prime Minister, prepares to visit Washington, it emerged yesterday that Leon Panetta, the head of the CIA, went to Israel two weeks ago. He sought assurances from Mr Netanyahu and Ehud Barak, the Defence Minister, that their hawkish new Government would not attack Iran without alerting Washington.
Concerns have been rising that Mr Netanyahu could launch a strike on Tehran’s atomic programme, in the same way that Israel hit Saddam Hussein’s Osirak reactor in 1981. Israel has been preparing for such an eventuality. It has carried out long-distance manoeuvres and is due to hold its largest civil defence drills this summer. The country’s leaders reportedly told Mr Panetta that they did not “intend to surprise the US on Iran”.
Mr Netanyahu will leave for Washington this weekend. He will meet Hillary Clinton, the Secretary of State, and Mr Obama, whom he will try to convince of the need for tougher action against Iran. Mr Obama favours trying to engage Tehran, but his efforts have been received coolly by President Ahmadinejad.
The Israeli leader is expected to insist that the US stays focused on Iran, rather than tackling stalled talks with the Palestinians.
Mr Netanyahu has held meetings with Arab leaders this week, including President Mubarak of Egypt and King Abdullah of Jordan. Both Sunni leaders share Israel’s fears of a resurgent Shia Iran.
In Aqaba, Jordan, yesterday King Abdullah told Mr Netanyahu there could be no regional peace without a Palestinian state. So far Mr Netanyahu has refused to commit to a two-state solution. Instead, he has talked about developing the Palestinian economy, with Palestinians having only limited sovereignty. That view is likely to cause confrontation with Mr Obama.
Mr Netanyahu raised the issue of Iran during a private meeting with Pope Benedict XVI in Nazareth yesterday. “I asked him as a moral figure to make his voice heard loud and continuously against the declarations coming from Iran of their intention to destroy Israel,” he said. .
“I think we found in him an attentive ear.” The Pope, who reiterated his calls for peace yesterday, did not give an account of the meeting.
Funny that Israel has to let America in on their plans, while America isn’t sharing information with them.
Agree with Bibi that Iran must be primary focus but the Obama people will insist upon moving ahead with peace talks with Palestinians…he won’t be able to stall on this issue indefinitely.
unfortunately & hopefuly I’m mistaken, bibi is all talk- never took decisive action ever as PM unless it was to please the americans.
tell obama that the israelis are NOT puppets. they don’t need permission from any do do anything. besides obama does not share his secrets with anyone for that matter let alone the israuelis
All this seems to be similar to what our neviim have predicted for acharis ha’yomim. B’derech ha’teva, the State of Israel should have attacked a long time ago, and every week that it waits, the job of the Israel Defense Forces grows harder.
They have a chance to attack via Saudi Arabia, which is more afraid of a nuclear Iran than people realize.
Obama will NEVER give Israel a green light to attack, and with the early warning station run by the U.S. in southern Israel, the Pentagon can keep close tabs on ALL Israeli flights, peaceful or otherwise, thus compromising the ability of the Israel air force to surprise its foes. This folly was due to Olmert agreeing to this Trojan horse offering by the Bush administration.
May Hashem protect our people.
How about we turn the table for a minute? how would the US respond when you have a country not that far away threatn to wipe the US out?
To #8 ,
Yes, a 3 year old has every right to know where you are walking him to. Why are you bringing up the issue of permission? I 217;m talking about the relationship, the cooperation. They have the permission. Obama only asks not to be left in the dark, but Israel is being left in the dark about America 217;s policy towards them. Does a 3 year old get such treatment?
To #7 ,
I am pointing out that there is a much deteriated relationship. America doesn 217;t technically owe anything to Israel and the latter doesn 217;t owe their existence.
So you think Netanyahu should do what the US says? Ok make us the 51st state and share your tax revenues with us for social services too not just military. Put us into the already failing Social security program, give us medicare and Medicaid and dont’ forget the food stamps so we don’t have to pay sales tax on our fruits and veggies as your next governor, Netanyahu wants to do.
You JINO’s compare us to 3 year olds? And y’all are Big Daddy? Fine. Take care of us then.
I see from some of your comments why Jonathan Pollard is dying in prison and why the “Jewish Lobby” does nothing about it. YOU all think he was wrong! Ok, so tell me again why we need to tell you anything? It’s time for us to cut the apron strings but, like the stereotypical Yiddishe mama, you don’t like it do you? The kinder going out and doing things on his own without telling her. You say go but it’s with a heavy price. Never ending guilt. Thanks Mom…not!
I guess it’s not so secret.
Israel didn’t ask for permission when they bombed Iraq and I don’t think they will ask now. I’m sure they would very much like the US to be in their side but I know they’ll do it on their own if need be.
Pollard is part of the reason why the US will not share some of their intelligence with EY since they still don’t trust the Israelis on these matters….for those of you who believe he was a hero, consider the negative affects that this whole episode had on the relationship between EY and the American intelligence community. While he may have believed he was acting in the interests of EY, there is a considerable view to the contrary.
The Arabs want their own state. As if that were going to magically stop all the terrorists. Hamas and Abbas know that their population is too downtrodden to care about living in peace because they made sure to destroy the economy and make people suffer. Suffering people love scapegoats.
Just drop an adem bomb on Tahran!
very secretive….hmm
reply to 16.
You talk like a big shot. why don’t you stop taking 4 billion dollrs plus from us every year and then you can do whatever you want. make your own planes and helicopter gun ships and all the other military hardware that we supply you.
הן עם לבדד ישכון!