Column of Former Mossad Chief Danny Yatom – The No Choice Attack Against Iran

Much has recently been discussed on the need to attack Iran’s nuclear facilities. One thing should be made clear in advance: the implications of such an attack and Iran’s response, including missiles and rockets fired from the north, would be far less destructive than if Iran unleashed a nuclear bomb on Israel.

Some people are voicing sharp opposition to a military strike against Iran, claiming it would signal a regional war of unforeseen magnitude. This is their perspective, and there is nothing wrong with public discourse on the issue. However, it is imperative to recognize that Israel will pay a heavy price for an attack on Iran, regardless of the aggressor’s identity. If sanctions and other restrictions do not convince Iran to halt its race for nuclear power, then the question of a military strike will rise to the top of Israel’s agenda.

We must not allow Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon that poses an existential threat to Israel—a situation in which we will wake up every morning wondering whether a nuclear bomb will fall on us because somebody in Iran got up on the wrong side of the bed. The damage from a nuclear bomb on Israel would be catastrophic.

We are not dealing with a rational regime that makes sound political decisions. It is a regime headed by a spiritual leader who acts according to his personal interpretation of the Koran. What’s more, Ahmadinejad repeatedly calls for erasing Israel off the map. Who can guarantee that when he secures a nuclear bomb, he won’t use it on us?

We cannot gamble on our future by relying on the assessments or wishful thinking of those who believe that diplomatic pressure will force the Iranians to relinquish their quest for nuclear capability. These assessments assume that Iran is a rational regime, which is not the case. In the meantime, recent Western-led sanctions against Iran’s financial institutions seem to only “itch” the Islamic Republic, and Russia and China, two countries with close commercial ties to Tehran (including weapons sales) are opposed to crippling their Middle Eastern economic partner.

After Iran is attacked, we will suffer through the consequences, which might include rocket barrages from Lebanon and Gaza. However, our retaliation will be so painful and so devastating that, in my opinion, the enemies’ aggression will quickly come to an end. Likewise, although we will have to strike civilian infrastructure and public facilities throughout Lebanon and Gaza, rockets will no longer threaten the citizens of Israel.

The world must realize time is running out. As of now, everything depends on the Iranian’s decision to produce a bomb. They already have the knowledge and material—it is only a matter of time (a year at most) from when they give the green light. Therefore, from my point of view, sanctions—no matter how harsh—will not bring the desired results. In the same way, secret operations like the mysterious explosions at Iranian bases and the assassination of scientists and senior figures from their missile program will not deter Iran’s leaders, for they are determined to attain a nuclear weapon. An attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities should only be done as a last resort. Assuming that sanctions and other efforts will fail to stop the Iranians, the only alternative will be to strike.

The world must understand that this is a global problem and not just Israel’s problem—Israel should not have to be forced to initiate a military strike. Still, we must make it clear that if the world is unwilling to intervene, then Israel has a moral obligation to protect itself.