Home /  Opinions /  Letters

RSSRSS Feed

Israel should not attack Iran

July 10th, 2008

There has been much in the news media about the possibility of Israel mounting an attack on Iran to prevent its developing nuclear weapons and in response to threatening statements by its leaders. [See June 27 Chronicle.]

Iran is trying to provoke Israel for its own goals. Iran aims to control the Persian Gulf. It is a poor country with a long and magnificent history that feels unappreciated for its glorious past and present godly truth.

To legitimize its aspirations, Iran has attacked Israel by indirect means. Now it legitimizes its nuclear program in the eyes of the Arab world by declaring it wants to kill Israel.

A military action by Israel will not prevent Iran from achieving a nuclear weapon because it is a national program, aided by interested outside parties, with multiple locations and capabilities.

Iran is seeking to influence Arab public opinion, not that of Europe or the U.S. An Israeli attack will create fear and resentment among the less radical Arab countries, because it will stir riots in their streets and increase fear of Israeli aggression.

Israel does not need to show its power. Its capabilities are well known.

What should Israel do in the face of such provocation? Israel is making the world aware that it is not the only target of an Iranian nuclear program and world peace is at stake. It should cooperate as much as possible with its moderate neighbors, including secret goodwill enterprises of all kinds.

Iran is not an Israeli problem.

Giora Katz
Manitowoc