Israel 'ready for 30 day war'

15 Aug 2012, 8:30 pm   -   Source: AFP
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Israel is prepared for a 30-day war on multiple fronts should it decide to strike Iran, and is

Israel is prepared for a 30-day war on multiple fronts should it decide to strike Iran, and is "ready as never before" for such a clash, the outgoing home front defence minister claims. (Getty Images)

Israel is prepared for a 30-day war on multiple fronts should it decide to strike Iran, and is "ready as never before" for such a clash, the outgoing home front defence minister said Wednesday.

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Israel is prepared for a 30-day war on multiple fronts should it decide to strike Iran, and is "ready as never before" for such a clash, the outgoing home front defence minister said Wednesday.
  
In an interview with the Maariv newspaper, Matan Vilnai said Israel was ready to face the consequences of a clash with Iran that could be sparked if the Jewish state decides to launch a strike against Tehran's nuclear programme.
  
But he warned that any military engagement should be weighed carefully, and cautioned that Israel should "always coordinate" with the United States.
  
"The assessments are for a war that will last 30 days on a number of fronts," he said, repeating the predictions of other senior Israeli officials that the Jewish state would suffer around 500 deaths in such a clash.
  
"It could be that there will be less fatalities, but it could be there will be more, that is the scenario that we are preparing for according to the best experts."
  
Speculation has risen in recent weeks about the possibility of an Israeli attack on Iran's nuclear programme, which the Jewish state and much of the international community believes masks a weapons drive.
  
Tehran vehemently denies those accusations, saying the programme is for peaceful energy and medical purposes.
  
As the speculation grows, observers in Israel have raised concern about the country's preparedness for war.
  
But Vilnai brushed aside such concerns, saying there was "no reason for hysteria."
  
"I can say in the most authoritative manner that the home front is ready as never before in the country's history," he said.
  
Vilnai declined to say whether he thought Israel should take military action against Iran, but warned any such decision required serious consideration.
  
"The only question is if a clash is necessary. War is something that is better to postpone and weigh carefully," he said, adding that he thought the Jewish state should coordinate its military activity with Washington.
  
"I don't want to be dragged into an argument, but I say that the United States is our greatest friend and we must always coordinate such things with it," he said.
  
Some Israeli officials have warned that the Jewish state could launch a unilateral attack on Iranian nuclear facilities if it believes Tehran is close to acquiring a nuclear weapon, even over objections from Washington.
  
Vilnai is set to be replaced by Avi Dichter, a former internal security minister and ex-head of the country's Shin Bet domestic intelligence agency.
  
The post, which Vilnai is leaving to become ambassador to China, was reportedly turned down by a slew of other top officials.
  
Israel is widely suspected to have the region's sole, if undeclared, nuclear arsenal.

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Your Comments

Hard to understand

That Guy - from Darwin, 9 months ago

I guess it comes down to the old truism of seeing other peoples problems clearly. I find it sad that year in, year out, we get this sort of demoralising story from the Middle East. I'm sure the people over there want to live in a peaceful world but they are also prone to the particular feelings that happen when people aren't external observers, when they are in a situation and not just looking at it.

Lost in translation

Jakob - from Sydney, 9 months ago

Many people say Iran has stated wipe Israel off the map as this is not the case it was saying remove the current people in power as in peacefully removing the current Zionist Regime, not talking about killing anyone or nuclear weapons at all As Iran has stated having or using a Nuclear weapon is against Islam as it causes mass destruction and mass loss of life Iran has every right to enrich uranium and is abidding by the law as many have stated No questions about Israel with all its WMD

Illegal attacks and war

Jakob - from Sydney, 9 months ago

If Israel attacks Iran it will be another illegal attack added to all the others over the years by there death squads and men of power These attacks and hatred is insulting to those who are religious Jews as not every Jew has this thinking in Israel or outside Israel as you can read about religious Jews in Israel being persecuted beaten and jailed for not wanting to serve in the army or being anti war This regime in Israel is an Insult to the Jewish People and does not speak for all Jews

Presumptions and nuclear weapons do not mix...

LD Ash - from SA, 9 months ago

"launch a unilateral attack on Iranian nuclear facilities if it believes...", or how about "launch a unilateral attack on Iranian nuclear facilities if it _KNOWS_...". A letter of apology and box of chocolates are okay, but only if there is something more than a charred skeleton to deliver them to.

Negotiation

Ron - from Melbourne, 9 months ago

Why doesn't israel negotiate whit Iran? they can say if you get rid of your nuclear program we will get rid of ours.

Invasion

Ron - from Melbourne, 9 months ago

Didn't Hitler say similar things before he invaded Poland!

Warmongers

Paul Beckett - from Cairns, 9 months ago

Australia should act against the barbaric apartheid government of Israel by expelling it's diplomats and banning Israeli imports. There is no justification for these murderers to strike Iran, enough of their hate.

When will war on our Planet end ? America is behind all of it

Christopher - from Melbourne, 9 months ago

Looks like America has funded Israel well. They can now afford a war. So Israeli's have Palestinians under apatheid in their own country, now they will attack another country with the help of the biggest war mongers on the planet. America. these two countries honeslty make me sick to my stomach. Between the two of them, they have destabilized the middle east. When will they stop!!!!!!

Iran Vs Israel

Whitney - from Melbourne, 9 months ago

We can clearly see who threatening who. Iran never started war with any nation in the last 200 years but Israel has done many. While Israel has not sign NPT and actually possess +200 nuclear warheads, it can blame Iran to not even enrich Uranium to 20%!, bear in mind Iran signed NPT and has been inspected regularly by IAEA and no trend of military direction been found. This attack (if happen) is absolutely illegal and Iran will retaliate hardly and I believe west must prevent Israel

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