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Israel Can Stand Up for Itself

[New York Times] Zev Chafets - In response to the news from Iran, some supporters of Israel such as Washington Post columnist Charles Krauthammer have suggested that the failed efforts to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons be replaced by assured American deterrence: any Iranian nuclear attack on Israel would be treated as an attack on the U.S. From Israel's perspective, the thought is tempting - but it's not realistic. In 1981, when Israeli planes destroyed the Iraqi nuclear reactor at Osirak, even the Reagan administration, usually a close ally, denounced the operation. Prime Minister Menachem Begin explained that he felt obligated to do anything in his power to stop Israel's enemies from getting their hands on means of mass killing. His primary focus was strategic. Israel would bear the ultimate responsibility for its own security. Don't misunderstand. It would be a noble thing for the U.S. to support Israel's efforts to stop an Iranian bomb or, if it comes to that, to back Israel's response to an attack. But no country can rely on the kindness of others.
2008-04-16 01:00:00
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