“Iran is not showing any signs that it is succumbing to the West’s pressure, and the pace at which it is installing centrifuges (which at the current phase of the nuclear program is more crucial than the actual uranium enrichment) is impressive and poses a major threat. Therefore, if the decision-makers in Jerusalem have decided not to rely on the US and whoever is elected president in November, they must convene the Cabinet and order the IDF to act soon.

True, it would be very risky for Israel to trust an American president to fight its battles, but there are other reasons why Israel should act with restraint:

• The fighting in Syria is weakening the army and the regime in Damascus, thus reducing the likelihood that Syria would want or be able to take part in any Iranian response to an Israeli strike. The war in Syria minimizes the threat on Israel’s home front and would make it easier for the IDF to act in Lebanon against Hezbollah. The rebels have already taken out two Syrian army anti-aircraft batteries, and they are not through. Therefore, Israel should not rush to launch an attack in Iran.

• Moreover, the IDF has also been improving its long range capabilities. Therefore, it is safe to assume that if we wait, Iran’s “immunity zone” will shrink as a result of Israel’s enhanced military capabilities.

• The best way to stop Iran’s nuclear program is to overthrow the regime in Tehran or force it to change its policy due to pressure from the masses. Only economic sanctions can achieve these objectives. This is why we mustn’t give the international community an excuse to soften the sanctions.

• Finally, and perhaps most importantly, there is no consensus within the Israeli public in support of a military strike. The public senses that Iran’s nuclear sword is not hanging over its neck just yet, and it is not convinced that setting Iran’s nuclear program back a few years justifies the heavy toll Israel would pay for attacking the Islamic Republic. The security establishment is also of the opinion that now is not the time to strike, and it does not believe Iran will obtain nuclear weapons if Israel does not act immediately.

So far, Netanyahu and Barak have failed to create legitimacy in the local and international arena for a military operation. Past experience has taught that we should not go to war in such conditions.”

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