http://blogs.jta.org/ENTRY_PERMALINK_HERE/hagel-misses-israel-syria-panel-hits/ JTA Managing Editor Uriel Heilman considers the interesting, and not so interesting, material at the Israel Policy Forum’s annual gala. en-us uheilman@jta.org Copyright 2008 2008-12-08T;22:34:00-05:00 nrmgardner@rogers.com Mr. Hovland is way off base in his comment about Israel advocating an attack on Iran. Statements from Israeali officials do warn of retribution if Iran attacks Israel and it would be reasonable to assume that contingency plans would be drawn up depending on what takes place in the future. However, responsible Israeli officials are lobbying for economic sanctions and diplomatic efforts to take place to prevent Iran from producing nuclear weapons which are a strategic threat not only to Israel but to the entire region which includes several small but wealthy Arab states. The comment about fear and hate on the part of Israel towards Iran seems to be missplaced. Israel does not hate Iran but a true peace activist would be able to discern that Iran, whose leaders have pledged to annihilate Israel is the true danger to world peace. Mr. Hovland is way off base in his comment about Israel advocating an attack on Iran. Statements from Israeali officials do warn of retribution if Iran attacks Israel and it would be reasonable to assume that contingency plans would be drawn up depending on what takes place in the future. However, responsible Israeli officials are lobbying for economic sanctions and diplomatic efforts to take place to prevent Iran from producing nuclear weapons which are a strategic threat not only to Israel but to the entire region which includes several small but wealthy Arab states. The comment about fear and hate on the part of Israel towards Iran seems to be missplaced. Israel does not hate Iran but a true peace activist would be able to discern that Iran, whose leaders have pledged to annihilate Israel is the true danger to world peace.

]]> 2012-02-10T;12:44:00-05:00 if_i_had_a_voice@yahoo.com For most of this year Israel has been advocating an attack on Iran. As a peace activist, I talk with people all over the world and people all over the world welcome the idea, and hope for peace, except for one small sliver of land on the Mediterranean. Just mention peace around the pro-Israel crowd and you will be verbally attacked, accused of wanting Israel’s destruction, accused of supporting terrorism, accused of being anti-semitic, all for advocating peace. We hear all about the dangers of Iran, and how everyone hates the Jews. I’m starting to get the distinct impression that the fear and hate in Israel, poses a very serious threat to Iran, and quite possibly to the rest of the world if Israel is not appeased. Make all the excuses you want. Israel is threatening Iran, and everyone can see it. For most of this year Israel has been advocating an attack on Iran. As a peace activist, I talk with people all over the world and people all over the world welcome the idea, and hope for peace, except for one small sliver of land on the Mediterranean. Just mention peace around the pro-Israel crowd and you will be verbally attacked, accused of wanting Israel’s destruction, accused of supporting terrorism, accused of being anti-semitic, all for advocating peace. We hear all about the dangers of Iran, and how everyone hates the Jews. I’m starting to get the distinct impression that the fear and hate in Israel, poses a very serious threat to Iran, and quite possibly to the rest of the world if Israel is not appeased. Make all the excuses you want. Israel is threatening Iran, and everyone can see it.

]]> 2012-02-10T;12:44:00-05:00 boboberg@nyc.rr.com It is very embarrassing to me that US representatives are so ignorant about the middle east. I’m afraid that no one in US government understands how serious is the threat from Iran and how badly Hamas and Hezbollah want to see dead Jews everywhere. Our only hope in Binyamin Netanyahu, pray that he is elected prime minister on February 10, 2009.  Mark Montgomery boboberg@nyc.rr.com It is very embarrassing to me that US representatives are so ignorant about the middle east. I’m afraid that no one in US government understands how serious is the threat from Iran and how badly Hamas and Hezbollah want to see dead Jews everywhere. Our only hope in Binyamin Netanyahu, pray that he is elected prime minister on February 10, 2009.  Mark Montgomery boboberg@nyc.rr.com

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