Assad during recent days and weeks has broadcast contradictory messages, calling for peace talks with Israel and issuing threats of launching a military strike to “liberate” the Golan Heights from Israel.
The threats are apparently aimed at reasserting Syria's demand for all of the Golan Heights. Syria remains a staunch Hizbullah supporter, providing a weapons transfer route to terrorists in southern Lebanon.
Syria’s tenacious pro-Hizbullah position may result in Assad’s regime working towards arming Hizbullah with a nuclear device, Vice Premier Shimon Peres told Israel Radio Tuesday. He said that if Iran achieves nuclear independence, other nations in the region will be armed with nuclear technology as well.
Iranian Nuclear Concerns Mounting in Jerusalem
Further complicating concerns in Jerusalem regarding Iranian efforts to achieve nuclear capabilities was the recent announcement by North Korea that it successfully tested a nuclear weapon. Israeli officials fear the technology will make its way to Tehran, further speeding up Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s schedule vis-?-vis his country building a nuclear weapon. Ahmadinejad has repeatedly rejected demands by the international community and the UN to halt the nuclear program, insisting his country plans to use nuclear technology for medical and humanitarian purposes only.
Israeli concerns regarding Tehran are mounting as the international community is taking a passive approach to Iran’s defiance of the international community’s call to halt the nuclear program.
The White House has signed a law permitting sanctions against Iran but the European Union (EU) and other nations favor diplomatic talks, leaving America and Israel alone in their quest for more significant action. EU Foreign Minister Javier Solana is an outspoken proponent of dialogue with Iran, firmly opposing sanctions of any kind.
Did North Korea Test a Nuclear Device?
North Korea recently test-fired seven missiles, including the firing of a long-range ballistic missile in July. American experts are cautiously analyzing the North Korean declaration that a nuclear device was successfully fired; with scientists explaining they are unconvinced that Pyongyang has the technology to produce a nuclear weapon small enough for the missile delivery system. That said, the Americans are unwilling to discard the North Korean declaration, and efforts to study the data are ongoing, in the hope of reaching a definitive conclusion regarding North Korea’s nuclear status.
UN Security Council Condemns N. Korea, But No Sanctions
United States United Nations Ambassador John Bolton took a firm approach in the urgent Security Council session on the matter, with America calling for a total embargo on materials that could be used for N. Korea’s nuclear program, as well as inspections of ingoing and ongoing cargo.
When asked if his country would back sanctions, China’s UN Ambassador Wang Guangya stated “the door remains open for a diplomatic solution.”
The Security Council voted unanimously to condemn North Korea, with US President George W. Bush calling the missile test a “provocative act,” warning North Korea against efforts to export nuclear technology. America has already warned any attack against Japan will be viewed as an attack on the United States.
In Israel, the announcement by North Korea has brought nuclear concerns to the forefront of the international community.
Vice Premier Peres: Economic Sanctions Would be Futile
Speaking to Army Radio on Tuesday morning, Vice Premier explained that like North Korea, Iran is a very poor country – explaining that economic sanctions will have little or no impact on the economy since there is widespread hunger in any event.
Peres further explained that nuclear technology may make its way from Southeast Asia to Iran, as well as to terrorists who may strike against Israel. “There is a worldwide problem par excellence,” stated Peres, emphasizing the current realities are far more comprehensive and troublesome than just being an Israeli or regional problem.
“Even China and Russia must contemplate how they will rule over a world like this,” added Peres, expressing concerns that nuclear technology falling in the hands of terror organizations would destabilize the global scene, something that cannot be permitted to occur.
Referring to Israel’s nuclear reactor in Dimona, Peres confirmed it was constructed decades ago for “just this type of situation,” stating, “yes, it was built as an option,” but “we do not have to wave it in the face of the international community.”
“We must do what is necessary, but what is necessary is not more taking,” stated Peres, who stressed while Israel does have a nuclear reactor, Israel does not carry out nuclear weapons testing.
Jerusalem Seeking a Firm Response to Iranian Defiance
Concerns in Jerusalem are mounting, with officials looking towards the White House for action, realizing North Korea will attempt to transfer its nuclear technology to Iran, with officials demanding the international community make the decision and act with increased decisiveness against Iran before it is too late. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert with also be turning to Russian President Vladimir Putin as well as to the European community, seeking to impress upon them the urgency of the hour.
As a result of the recent statements released by Assad, the IDF is remaining increasingly alert along Israel’s northern border, in line with intelligence community warnings that the “next war” may not be too far in the future, possibly a number of weeks or months away.
The threats are apparently aimed at reasserting Syria's demand for all of the Golan Heights. Syria remains a staunch Hizbullah supporter, providing a weapons transfer route to terrorists in southern Lebanon.
Syria’s tenacious pro-Hizbullah position may result in Assad’s regime working towards arming Hizbullah with a nuclear device, Vice Premier Shimon Peres told Israel Radio Tuesday. He said that if Iran achieves nuclear independence, other nations in the region will be armed with nuclear technology as well.
Iranian Nuclear Concerns Mounting in Jerusalem
Further complicating concerns in Jerusalem regarding Iranian efforts to achieve nuclear capabilities was the recent announcement by North Korea that it successfully tested a nuclear weapon. Israeli officials fear the technology will make its way to Tehran, further speeding up Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s schedule vis-?-vis his country building a nuclear weapon. Ahmadinejad has repeatedly rejected demands by the international community and the UN to halt the nuclear program, insisting his country plans to use nuclear technology for medical and humanitarian purposes only.
Israeli concerns regarding Tehran are mounting as the international community is taking a passive approach to Iran’s defiance of the international community’s call to halt the nuclear program.
The White House has signed a law permitting sanctions against Iran but the European Union (EU) and other nations favor diplomatic talks, leaving America and Israel alone in their quest for more significant action. EU Foreign Minister Javier Solana is an outspoken proponent of dialogue with Iran, firmly opposing sanctions of any kind.
Did North Korea Test a Nuclear Device?
North Korea recently test-fired seven missiles, including the firing of a long-range ballistic missile in July. American experts are cautiously analyzing the North Korean declaration that a nuclear device was successfully fired; with scientists explaining they are unconvinced that Pyongyang has the technology to produce a nuclear weapon small enough for the missile delivery system. That said, the Americans are unwilling to discard the North Korean declaration, and efforts to study the data are ongoing, in the hope of reaching a definitive conclusion regarding North Korea’s nuclear status.
UN Security Council Condemns N. Korea, But No Sanctions
United States United Nations Ambassador John Bolton took a firm approach in the urgent Security Council session on the matter, with America calling for a total embargo on materials that could be used for N. Korea’s nuclear program, as well as inspections of ingoing and ongoing cargo.
When asked if his country would back sanctions, China’s UN Ambassador Wang Guangya stated “the door remains open for a diplomatic solution.”
The Security Council voted unanimously to condemn North Korea, with US President George W. Bush calling the missile test a “provocative act,” warning North Korea against efforts to export nuclear technology. America has already warned any attack against Japan will be viewed as an attack on the United States.
In Israel, the announcement by North Korea has brought nuclear concerns to the forefront of the international community.
Vice Premier Peres: Economic Sanctions Would be Futile
Speaking to Army Radio on Tuesday morning, Vice Premier explained that like North Korea, Iran is a very poor country – explaining that economic sanctions will have little or no impact on the economy since there is widespread hunger in any event.
Peres further explained that nuclear technology may make its way from Southeast Asia to Iran, as well as to terrorists who may strike against Israel. “There is a worldwide problem par excellence,” stated Peres, emphasizing the current realities are far more comprehensive and troublesome than just being an Israeli or regional problem.
“Even China and Russia must contemplate how they will rule over a world like this,” added Peres, expressing concerns that nuclear technology falling in the hands of terror organizations would destabilize the global scene, something that cannot be permitted to occur.
Referring to Israel’s nuclear reactor in Dimona, Peres confirmed it was constructed decades ago for “just this type of situation,” stating, “yes, it was built as an option,” but “we do not have to wave it in the face of the international community.”
“We must do what is necessary, but what is necessary is not more taking,” stated Peres, who stressed while Israel does have a nuclear reactor, Israel does not carry out nuclear weapons testing.
Jerusalem Seeking a Firm Response to Iranian Defiance
Concerns in Jerusalem are mounting, with officials looking towards the White House for action, realizing North Korea will attempt to transfer its nuclear technology to Iran, with officials demanding the international community make the decision and act with increased decisiveness against Iran before it is too late. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert with also be turning to Russian President Vladimir Putin as well as to the European community, seeking to impress upon them the urgency of the hour.
As a result of the recent statements released by Assad, the IDF is remaining increasingly alert along Israel’s northern border, in line with intelligence community warnings that the “next war” may not be too far in the future, possibly a number of weeks or months away.