[Peace-discuss] "Those grapes are probably sour"

[C. G. Estabrook]

[Perhaps this means that the Israeli government has learnt that the USG faction 
favoring making Iran an accomplice rather than a bogeyman has the upper hand for 
the moment in DC. --CGE]

	September 17 2009
	Israel Defence Chief: Iran Not An Existential Threat
	REUTERS

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak was quoted Thursday as 
saying he does not view Iran as a threat to the existence of the Jewish state, a 
view that would seem to depart from Israeli statements of the recent past.

Israel's mass-circulation Yedioth Ahronoth daily quoted Barak, the head of 
Israel's centre-left Labour party, as saying "Iran does not constitute an 
existential threat against Israel."

In response to a question about Tehran's nuclear program which Israel has said 
it sees as destined to produce atomic weapons that could put its existence at 
risk, Barak said in an interview with the paper:

"I am not among those who believe Iran is an existential issue for Israel."

Barak said "Israel is strong, I don't see anyone who could pose an existential 
threat," although he did add that he viewed Iran as a challenge to the whole world.

Israeli leaders have repeatedly said they view Iran's atomic development as a 
threat, pointing at President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's calls for the Jewish state 
to be wiped off the map, and support for groups seeking Israel's destruction.

Iran insists its nuclear program is solely intended for energy production.

Western countries have sought to toughen sanctions against Iran, alongside 
efforts at dialogue by U.S. President Barack Obama, in an attempt to pressure 
Iran to halt its nuclear development.

Israel is assumed to possess the only atomic arsenal in the Middle East.

Writing by Allyn Fisher-Ilan; Editing by Charles Dick

Source: Reuters