Israel Tells U.S. It Will Retaliate if Iraqis Attack

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September 22, 2002

By MICHAEL R. GORDON

JERUSALEM, Sept. 21 - Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has informed the Bush administration that he plans to strike back if Iraq attacks Israel, according to Israeli and Western officials.

Mr. Sharon's statements, made privately to senior American officials in recent weeks, represent a major shift in Israeli thinking since the 1991 Persian Gulf war, when 39 Iraqi Scud missiles struck without any Israeli response.

The prime minister's position reflects a widespread belief among Israeli politicians and generals that Arab leaders perceived Israel's restraint in 1991 as weakness. Throughout his military and political career, Mr. Sharon has always held that any attack on Israel must be promptly and powerfully punished.

"I don't think there is a scenario in which Israel will get hit and not strike back," a senior Western official said. "I think the evolving strategy will be commensurate response."

Mr. Sharon's position has significant implications for the Pentagon, which fears that an Israeli entry would stir up Arab public opinion and make it harder for the Pentagon to maintain cooperation from the Arab states where Washington hopes to base American forces.

Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld told Congress on Thursday that it would be in Israel's "overwhelming best interests" not to intervene if the United States went to war with Iraq.

The Pentagon is also planning military steps to reduce the Iraqi threat to Israel and obviate the need for an Israeli retaliatory strike. Israeli officials say they have been told by their American counterparts that the United States will mount an intensive campaign to destroy Iraqi missile launchers in western Iraq, an operation that would almost certainly require the use of American commandos in addition to airstrikes.

American officials have also assured the Israelis that they will receive adequate warning of when the American attack will begin, though American officials have not said how much notice they will provide. END

As I stated in earlier articles this would be disastrous for the U.S. If Israel retaliates it could bring other Arab nations into the mix. They have no intention of entering into the Iraqi conflict, but Israel has already put them on high alert for their latest offensive against their sponsored state (Palestine).

The Palestinians are warning Israel not to harm Yassar Arafat or there will be a huge battle resulting in massive bloodshed. I don't foresee Israel harming Arafat on purpose, but with all the demolition and explosions going on around him it is possible that the building he is held up in could collapse.

Pastor Malone

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