“History will judge this [Obama] administration when it comes to the end of its term whether Iran has nuclear weapons or not,” Defense Minister Ehud Barak told Fox News in an interview. He also said sanctions are not enough to stop Iran from reaching nuclear capability.
Speaking in an interview while visiting officials in Washington, the Defense Minister added, “We are not frightened by [Iranian President Mahmoud] Ahmadinejad’s statements, but we have to take seriously that a nuclear Iran” would begin an arms race in the Middle East and “encourage global jihad and intimidation. We have to consider what follows sanctions, which will not suffice.”
Barak estimated that Iran “technically” may be able to possess a nuclear weapon within a year and a half “if they break all the rules.” He explained the major problem is that Iran may “become immune” to a military strike by building several sites and protecting them by burying them deep underground.
Concerning the building freeze on new homes for Jews in Judea and Samaria which is officially scheduled to end next week, Barak took a surprisingly nationalist stance that contradicted several actions in Israel that have provided obstacles for Jews in Judea and Samaria.
“It sounds bizarre to consider stretching [the building freeze] because we gave an unprecedented gesture that never happened in the history of our country to put an end to private projects for 10 months. For nine months, the Palestinians stalled and ridiculed it as something that was nonsense, and in the last month, it has become [the issue] on which the whole peace process stands. It is almost inconceivable.”
Barak reminded viewers that the Palestinian Authority in the past has discussed the issue of a new Arab state with Israel despite massive building for Jews. “We should find a formula [for continuing talks] without humiliating Abu Mazen [Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas ] and without trying to corner Israel,” Barak said.
Read more at Arutz Shevah.
{Arutz Shevah/Matzav.com}
