Out in the Open: Why Netanyahu Wants War with Iran?

Rasa - At the annual Munich Security Conference on Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a piece of what he claimed to be a drone in hand to talk about the need for region-wide military action against what he called the “Iranian empire.”

News ID: 436509

Date: 19 February 2018 - 23:48

RNA - Netanyahu claimed the part was from a drone which crossed into Israeli airspace, and was Iranian, and was shot down. He played up the idea that Israel must be prepared to destroy not just Iran’s allies, but Iran itself.

Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif was quick to react, though, at the same conference. He mocked Netanyahu’s baseless claim, saying it was a “cartoonish circus” for Israel to make such threats. Zarif further faulted Israel for treating aggression like a standard policy, noting how often Israeli warplanes violate the airspace of Lebanon and Syria.

This can be studied from several angles:

A- As maintained by Foreign Minister Zarif, the shooting down of the Israeli jet has shattered Israel's "so-called invincibility." Israel can no longer send its warplanes into Syria to hit targets and expect them to return in one piece. There will be reprisals.

B- The advances of the Iraqi and Syrian armies and their Iranian-Russian allies against ISIL and other terrorist groups herald a major breakthrough in the region. Resolving the conflicts in these Arab nations could restore regional peace and stability, and attract full attention to Israel’s crimes against Palestinians. Hence, a new military confrontation could help Tel Aviv pursue its policies in the occupied Palestinian territories more vigorously.

C- The US - Israel’s one major ally, their primary source of economic and military aid, the only reason the international community hasn’t forced them to stop committing crimes against the Palestinians – is to get dragged into this long and discretionary war. To this end, Netanyahu is playing with fire and may not only ignite a regional war in the Middle East, but also try to ruin years of close, intimate strategic cooperation between Syria, Iran, Russia and Hezbollah to defeat the terrorist group of ISIL. Thanks to this historic victory, the remnants of ISIL no longer pose any threat to Europe. This should illustrate just how dangerous a war with Iran is, given that Iran refuses to be the one to start it.

D- Netanyahu’s “cartoonist circus” in Munich is just the latest ominous sign from Israel that the unholy alliance of Donald Trump, Benjamin Netanyahu and the Saudi Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, may be planning to greatly expand war in the Mideast, targeting Hezbollah in Lebanon, and its ally Iran. In the words of Foreign Minister Zarif, “Well, if they try to exercise that threat, they will see the response.”

E- Israel is still pursuing an “iron fist” policy against Palestinians, including deportations, demolition of homes, collective punishment, curfews, and the suppression of political institutions to undermine Palestinian resistance, which is morally supported by Iran and the international civil society.

F- Israel’s clout has seen substantial erosion among public opinion in Europe. A resolution passed by the UN Security Council against Israeli settlements in December last year was an indication that Europe is not satisfied with Tel Aviv’s expansionist and aggressive approach. Netanyahu is under the illusion that a new military confrontation will push Europe to avoid criticizing Tel Aviv and once against throw its weight behind the regime.

G- Netanyahu needs a war, any war, because the Israeli political reality is turning against him. He is desperate, losing ground fast in the latest opinion polls. He sees he may be out of power soon without having any legacy, and he provokes war to distract from the ongoing probes into his corruption.

H- Netanyahu believes that provoking a war against Iran will drive some Arab nations to stop their hostile approach toward Tel Aviv and join the fight against Tehran. This could help Israel press ahead with its radical policies. US President Donald Trump’s plan to relocate the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem Al-Quds is in line with such radical policies, a plan which failed to win any support from the UN, let alone the Arab-Muslim nations.

All said, it remains to be seen whether the international civil society is prepared to give in to Netanyahu’s selfish motives and whether he can trigger a new war in the Middle East that might also drag in the United States and destabilize the entire planet. It’s a dream come true for ISIL, Al-Qaeda and their affiliates. Iran is wise, but it never let any threat go unanswered. And they know it.

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