Mofaz: Israel won’t accept Iran’s nuclear armament

Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz said Saturday night that, „Israel will not accept Iran’s nuclear armament.” Speaking at the Herzliya Conference, Mofaz said that although Israel is currently satisfied with the international diplomatic efforts aimed at containing Tehran’s nuclear program, Israel must prepare to defend itself. Mofaz said that Iran poses a threat not only to Israel, but to the entire world. He regarded Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad „an oppressor” and Syrian President Bashar Assas as „an optometrist with no vision.” Mofaz reiterated his accusations that Iran funds terror against Israel, a claim he made Thursday after Islamic Jihad carried out a suicide bombing in southern Tel Aviv. According to Mofaz, last year Iran transferred $100 million to Hezbollah to fund terror activities, some of which was transferred to Palestinian organizations. Islamic Jihad, he said, received more than $10 million from Iran and Hezbollah last year. Regarding relations with the Palestinians, Mofaz said that if it becomes evident that there is no peace partner, Israel must „take fate into her own hands.” Such a move, he added, would include a withdrawal to defensible borders while strengthening West Bank settlement blocs, demilitarization of Palestinian areas, and protecting a united Jerusalem. To do so, U.S. and international backing will be needed, he said, and added that he believes that such a move would be widely supported by the Israeli public. Also scheduled to appear at the Herzliya Conference, which is set to last four days, are Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Likud Chairman Benjamin Netanyhau and Labor Chairman Amir Peretz. Among the issues to be discussed are Iran’s nuclear armament and its strategic implications, Israel’s standing in Europe and the U.S. and a debate on defining Israeli territory, which will consider the question of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and the Jewish people.