Israeli Perspectives On Iran
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2012-09-10/israeli-perspectives-iran
Some in Israel, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have been speaking out about the need to act aggressively against Iran, with or without the support of the U.S. But many Israelis, including some in the military, do not share this view. Please join us to talk about the range of public opinion within Israel over how to respond to Iran's nuclear program.
Guests
Danny Danon
deputy speaker at Knesset, chair of World Likud and chair Knesset Committe for Immigration.
Aaron David Miller
public policy scholar at the Woodrow Wilson International Center.
Yoram Peri
Abraham S. and Jack Kay Chair in Israel Studies and director of The Joseph B. and Alma Gildenhorn Institute for Israel Studies University of Maryland.
Comments
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skteeyder and Diane said "If Israel has nuclear weapons" pathetic
Hi Kathleen: Yes, I heard Diane say "if," as well. I agree, Diane's peddling of Israeli-government deception about its own massive nuclear stockpile--and refusal to sign the NPT--is sad cowardice.
Diane, I know you'll never air this comment/question but regardless - Israel will. most likely cause a MAJOR war in the Middle East if not WWIII dragging everyone into it. Dispute that please. Isreal long ago became more trouble than they are worth.
There is absolutely no need to enrich uranium to greater than 5% enrichment if the material is to be used for peaceful, that is power production, medical or material research purposes. This includes the medical reactor that a caller to the show referenced.
If Iran is to convince the world and especially Israel that their production of enriched uranium is for peaceful purposes they should open their facilities for unrestricted international inspection. Allowing Israel to establish a field office on Iranian soil at those facilities to monitor the process would not only defuse the need for military action but may be the first step to normalize relations between the two countries.
Bottom line...Iran has resources.....the U.S. is coming to get them.
The Nuclear issue is a Red Herring....
What planet do you live on. Iran signed the NPT years ago. Israel has not.
Best Diane Rehm show EVER. It had it all. One hour straight of Israelis chatting genially with Diane about how and when America and Israel are going to murder thousands of innocent civilians. Great Job, NPR! AIPAC is well pleased.
Following your thinking Tom I would expect you to also demand that Iran be able to set up a field office on Israeli soil (not Palestinian soil) at Israeli nuclear weapons facilities to "monitor the process". Seems fair. And of course along with that Israel would sign the NPT and open up their stockpiles of nuclear, biological and chemical weapons sites. Yep just fair is all we are asking
As a IRanian american who wish for regim change in Iran and removal of all the ayatollahs and the fanatics ruling the government, listening to your show was painful to me. I thought there are no differences between the Iranian government and the Israelis in this case. Both nations deserve better government. I find it disgusting to hear so much hatred on your show. I think I willt ake some time off from your show....
When North Korea got the bomb, they did not bomb anybody. All they got was some safety from being bombed or invaded themselves. If Iran gets the bomb, it only shows that they are smart enough to develop it, not to bomb anybody, and to protect themselves against other nations who might want to attack them. Why should we bomb Iran to give every other nation the incentive to develop nuclear weapons to protect themselves against their enemies?
The sanctions on Iran are not "sane". Those placed on Iraq are thought to have killed 1.5 million people, the most vulnerable in the population, including 500,000 children. When queried about a half a million children dying in those sanctions, then Sec. of State, Madeline Albright, replied to Leslie Stahl on national TV that "We think the price is worth it."
Diane! You should do a program on the sanctions themselves, and in light of the Iraq sanctions. Connect the dots and recognize these weapons of mass destruction for what they are: the smartest bombs of all. And like Bill Clinton. Obama is all too ready to surf on euphemisms on this issue, and has referred to sanctions as "diplomacy" and merely "crippling".
The best line of approach for Iran is to foment internal nonviolence-based revolution. Were nuclear production become a critical issue, the US, Israel and others must judge the rationality of Iran based on its behavior, not its language. If some force is needed, the best force would have to be surgical military strikes to knock out production capability.
Let's cut through the diplomatic speak on NPR shows featuring Israel as the subject -- shall we?.
All of us paying attention to this issue already know exactly what the deal is with Israel in the US media.
Israelis and US Israel promoters will 90% of the time be given the floor to propagandize the public without challenges to any of their fact free statements and misrepresentations.
Anytime there is a Israel promoter or Israeli speaking on issues involving the US there should also be expert representative for American Interest to present the alternate US side and in the case of Iran a representative for the Iran side.
But NPR allows Israel promoters/sympathizers like Rehm to promote the Israel agenda. This is Un-American, and they are Anti- American and we will remember all those in the media who were involved in propagandizing the American public when the dust finally settles on the Iran and the Isr'merica issue.
That said, it's pointless to say more, or listen to this show or try to change NPR policy. Everyone already knows what they're going to hear. Our time is better spent educating and advising our friends and associates to go elsewhere for honest and fair coverage and or debate on Israel issues. Just go elsewhere period and don't promote or support any media slanted on any issue.
@ Tom 11:57
You may speak when Israel divest itself of it's nukes.
Until then you are not entitled to a say so opinion on any other ME country's nuclear status.
IRMEP the only other people that I have heard talk about the possibility of Israel using nuclear weapons has been Dr.Zbig, Former President Jimmy Carter, and Professor Norman Finkelstein. This same Idea that Israel is threatening use of their nuclear weapons and as Finketlstein has said may be "insane" enough to do do so.
My question for Diane Rehm and NPR generally is, why is it up to the listeners to provide balance to these Israeli warmongers? Pathetic.
Tom,
your first para is factually incorrect, please do some research and educate yourself.
To your second para, it is totally arrogant. Since when did "god die and crown Israel as the sole arbitrator". There are many comments on this blog that provide a more balanced position.
Israel should just nuke those Iranian nuclear sites and not care what anyone thinks about it. I knew ten years ago that Americans won't stand by Israel. Americans didn't care when Jews, including my family, were being murdered in the Holocaust.
Let the Iranians be the ones to build their Holocaust museums next time around. Let the Muslims build their own Holocaust museums for themselves. Israel doesn't have to apologize for anything. Jews built the atomic bomb FOR America in WWII, and saved hundreds of thousands of US GI lives by having done so. No country has more right than Israel to have a nuclear deterrent, because (a) Jews invented it, and (b) only the Jewish state is being threatened with annihilation once again.
Americans won't care until Venezuela and Cuba acquire Iranian nuclear weapons.Until it hits home, no one is home.
Jews invented America's first nukes. Let the US divest itself first, and then Israel will think about it.
America should hand over her nuclear weapons to Israel, because JEWISH SCIENTISTS INVENTED THEM FOR AMERICA TO SAVE AMERICAN LIVES!
Oh, we let North Korea get away with it, so why not Iran?Whyi not Cuba, Venezuela or Mexico? After all the US invaded Mexico and took half their country away. Shouldn't the Latin Americans "balance" the US monopoly on nukes in the Americas? Why not a nuclear-free Americas?
India and Pakistan have also not signed the NPT. Pakistan is a Muslim country. Why not force them to sign the NPT and inspect them before telling Israel to sign the NPT?
I know this doesn't address Israel. But the United States using nuclear weapons, well, weapons of mass destruction, right now, on Iran. The are euphemistically called "crippling sanctions" and "diplomatic measures". Think about it. The sanctions on Iraq killed 1.5 million. That's about the same as would be killed in a large nuclear strike. These are smart bombs, so smart they off without making a sound, hiding in plain sight, and passing you all right by. Wake up. The sanctions are weapons of mass destruction. Don't let this happen again. Am I wrong?
Islamofascism is a weapon of mass destruction.
American it is not a waste of time to document the propaganda, demand changes and shed light on who is helping set the stage for a military strike on Iran. How do you think things ever change? People must contact the Diane Rehm show and share their outrage about what the Rehm show has and seems to be continuing to do. Also request demand that the Rehm Team have the Leveretts on to counter these lets go get Iran chants (not if but when) based on facts. It is important to document, shed light and demand accountability. So important
To paraphrase Danny Danon,
We cant let the people decide they don't have the classified information we have we will decide if and when we strike Iran
We in the USA have heard that from our conservatives with disastrous results.
This is a blatant attempt by Israel to interferer in US politics on behalf of Romney and the conservatives.
If Israel decides to "go it alone" they should be made to do it without economic aid from the USA.but we know that wont happen.