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Major General Aharon Ze'evi-Farkash
Photo: Amnon Rauchman
Olmert, weakness
Photo: Tess Scheflan, JINI
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
Photo: Reuters

Former MI chief: Israel can't face Iran alone

Speaking at security, anti-terror conference in Technion, former Military Intelligence chief Aharon Ze'evi-Farkash says Israel should show humility with regards to Iranian threat, decision should be made on peace with Syria. Former MI chief also says Shalit family situation stems from 'governmental weakness'

Former Military Intelligence chief Major General Aharon Ze'evi-Farkash on Wednesday told Ynet that "Israel cannot deal with the Iranian threat on its own. It can only take part in a course of action".

 

Speaking at a conference in the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, Ze'evi-Farkash called for progress towards peace with Syria and said the US' new policy towards Iran should be given a chance, adding that "we should exhibit more humility".

 

During the conference, titled Security and the War Against Terror: The Scientific Challenge, which was attended by hundreds of scientists and military officials, Ze'evi-Farkash warned of another strategic threat on Israel east of Iran – Pakistan.

 

Ze'evi-Farkash said that since it seems that Iran will not be able to achieve a nuclear bomb in the coming year, Pakistan should be viewed as a greater threat, since "it has nuclear weapons and it exports terror".

 

'Price for peace with Syria known'

The former Military Intelligence chief also commented on the situation on Israel's northern front, and said that chances of reaching a peace agreement with Syria were good, and the price is known.

 

"In light of the current strengthening of ties between Syria and the US, chances of opening talks will continue to grow and this will pose a great challenge before the new (Israeli) government.

 

"The price is known – the Golan Heights – and a decision should be made as to whether we are willing to pay it or not," he said.

 

Ze'evi-Farkash said the rift between Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas was even greater than the rift between Israel and Syria. "I say this in spite of the talks that are currently being held in Cairo between Fatah and Hamas," he said.

 

'Damage Gaza op caused to Israel's image horrible'

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, Ze'evi-Farkash said, understood from Operation Cast Lead that Israel was actually leading the moderate Sunni Muslim world's war, which lead the Egyptian leader to act as he did.

 

Ze'evi-Farkash added that the damage caused to Israel's image as a result of the Gaza operation was "horrible", and that it marked a turning point in Turkey's policies towards the Middle East, since the Islamic leadership in the country decided to neglect Ataturk's tradition of not interfering in political matters in the region.

 

Taking the opportunity to address the Shalit family's protest tent set up outside of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's Residence in Jerusalem, Ze'evi-Farkash said, "The Shalit family's tent and the counter protests by families of terror victims – is a painful and inhumane sight that stems from governmental weakness.

 

"The citizens understand this, and that is why they are acting on their own," he added.

 


פרסום ראשון: 03.11.09, 15:22
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