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Israeli Chief of Staff Gantz Told Not to Attack Iran by US General Martin Dempsey
27 March 2012
Israeli security commentator Amir Oren wrote in today’s Ha’aretz that Israeli Defense Force Chief of Staff General Benny Gantz, in his recent visit to the U.S. was in effect told by U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Martin Dempsey not to attack Iran. Dempsey, Oren writes, carefully packaged Gantz’s visit. He pointed to the fact that three days before Gantz arrival, Dempsey was interviewed on PBS TV where he said the difference between the U.S. and Israel on the question of an attack on Iran was timing. Dempsey also revealed that the U.S. has simulated possible scenarios concerning an Israeli attack, the so called internal look war games. This was followed by the New York Times leak that U.S. officials forecast, that if there was an Israeli attack on Iran, the latter’s reaction could lead to heavy U.S. loses. Oren concludes that the pressure on Gantz is due to the fact that it is believed that he would have the last word on any Israel attack on Iran being pushed by the other Benny, Benjamin Netanyahu. While Oren makes clear that Gantz’s judgment is far superior to the other Benjamin, the question, of course, is whether Gantz would resist Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak. Preparations for an attack on Iran are obviously continuing. The Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth reports that the so-called Iron Dome Anti-Missile System is in the process of being deployed at all the major cities throughout Israel. This week an Iron Dome battery will be placed in several locations in the Tel Aviv metropolitan area for training purposes and adjustment to the region. Similar exercises have already been held across Israel, this year including Jerusalem and Haifa. Next week, the system’s fourth battery which is meant to protect residents of the Tel Aviv metropolitan area will become fully operational. The Israeli plan is to produce enough batteries to cover all the major cities in Israel. |