Opinion
Don’t waste money on Iran
Amnon Shamosh
Published: 15.02.12, 17:47
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1. inward looking
alexi   (02.15.12)
the illegal ayatollah entity of ahmadjiendad sabjouran(jewish ancestry) says it wants to wipe israeloff the map as it closes in on nuclear weapons. The author says lets ignore it. History will have no tears for an israel that ignores such warnings. The author equates with pakistan indian in that a nuclear peace can be managed. Not so with a messianic regime that openly rev ers and promotes suicide bombings, It is obvious that jews have not expunged the submisisve gene from centuries of subjugation. it is wel represented in this author and elder, marcus olmert and livni-weak kneed jews who appease. israel cannot undertake an attack on iran with bibi and barak at the controls because bibi is hesitant while barak has a history of appeasement. The US and the world will not do iran. Terror will be emboldened by a nuclear iran. jews are you going to repeat auchwitz. Make the plan, practise it and get ready. Install 3 more iron dome batteries fast.
2. Daaaa....invert on the people so Iran have more to Explote??
Gayray ,   Israel   (02.15.12)
No country in the world have a direct and harsh threat like we do, just to remember you: ISRAEL WILL BE ERASE FROM THE MAP??? So no defense and more parks and Schools you said? My kids always make a noice when some body mention something stuped: DAAAAaaaaaaaaaa This time is for you Mr. Shamosh
3. Jewish history tells us
BH ,   Iowa   (02.15.12)
When murderous threats against the Jewish People are made - they must be taken dead serious. That said, Iran is really a US responsibility. It's our failure of leadership which has put Israel in the position of having to act and deal with the consequences. We certainly wouldn't hang any Western nation out to dry like this.
4. Obama knows Iran not a threat to the West
Steven Benassi ,   Silver Bay, MN USA   (02.15.12)
...and will not strike Iran unless provoked to do so, by Israel, our biggest frenemy.
5. think of the children and grandchildren
marcel   (02.15.12)
israel is one great country. It needs no lessons from anyone even yes we can obama. Now, history is very clear-israel has to have the keys to its own security. Not an olmert appeasment condomininum sharing arrangement with arabs. it will not work and it is n ot for the jews period. second, what would be the point of being second class citizens depending on obama and putin and leaders of egypt to let our people go out of servitude. we have seen that story before. No it cannot be again! The oslo dream and what followed after is an illusion that has nothing but tears and blood and won't work for jews. What is nablus? Arab city, taken via rome from the jews remember shechem. Most jews including me did not know that . Enough. Get ready . get the plan for iran ready and practise it. right of return yes-arabs will be returning to yemen,s yria, lebanon and egypt. They stole israeli land. Get ready.
6. Yup Safety Last
jeff ,   Beverly Hills, CA   (02.15.12)
great thinking, dont worry about survival, just worry about today only
7. Ignoring a problem doesn't make it go away.
Henry from New York ,   USA   (02.15.12)
8. Brave voice
Ussishkin ,   Tel Aviv Israel   (02.15.12)
Kol Hakavod for speaking out and telling a truth that the paranoid majority cannot hear. Two of them - No's 1 &. 2 - cannot spell. Oh dear.
9. Well, that was some Lefty fussing
Cameron ,   USA   (02.15.12)
The paranoid Right vs. The whining Left
10. In the 30s Jews were pretending that Hitler was not serious.
naro ,   nyc   (02.15.12)
Shamosh Jews like you buried their heads in the sand when Hitler was calling for their annihilation throughout the 30s. A few heard him and took him at his words and left Europe. The majority were like you, living is a fantasy world where nothing bad can happen. it will pass over soon. Listen to Khamenei-he want to kill all Jews and destroy Israel, and is taking concrete step daily to achieve his goal. He is not to be deterred or convinced otherwise because he is a madman. Improving your standard of living and educational level is not going to stop the Iranians from proceeding in their march toward the annihilation of the Jewish state. If you learn anything from history it is that survival of Israel depends on its strength and determination, and survival of the Jewish people in Israel and elsewhere will require the destruction of Khamenei and his cult of determined mass murderers. He will use his nuclear weapons against you because he is sure that Allah is behind him and commanding him-no matter how many Iranians will die for it. Hitler had the same suicidal mentality. Khamenei is serious and you better take him seriously.
11. If only we could ignore the threats
Wade ,   NYC USA   (02.15.12)
and concentrate on domestic problems. It is a matter of balance. By no means does Israel ignore the poor. However, it would be irresponsible not to take external threats serious. Arab forces have attacked Israel with murder in their eyes - only the IDF stopped them. Who can take the chance that Iran's call to eradicate Israel is just rhetoric? Hitler's rhetoric moved real executioners. "In every generation (they) stand against us to destroy us." (Haggada of Pesach).
12. Just when it seems leftists can't get any dumber...
Chaim ,   Israel   (02.15.12)
Why should Israel invest in defending herself from genocidal maniacs who seek nuclear bombs to destroy her with? A few short months ago, prominent leftists urged Israel to cede the Golan. Now this. Just when it seems the Israeli left can't can any dumber or self destructive, it always finds new lows.
13. #4 steve
solomon ,   bklyn   (02.15.12)
I think you better call Obama fast, as he obviously doesn’t know what you, in your infinite wisdom, know; that Iran is not a threat to the US. Your great knowledge and logic is not shown just in this spot on statement, but also in your characterization of Israel as an enemy. You faithfully ignore the benefits to both sides in this two way relationship. Way to go.
14. Excellent article
tom ,   PA   (02.15.12)
...especially the comments about Iran's silly leader. One small quibble: I'm not so sure that Israel would be doing "the West's" dirty work by attacking Iran (perhaps Saudi Arabia and some of the Emirates, but that's about it.) People need to ignore Iran's President. He is not Hitler, FFS, and doesn't have near the power that some around here give him. It's fear in Israelis he's trying to create. Actually, fear in others is all he CAN create. Let the monkey bang on his cage without getting such a huge reaction. By the way, it's not just Israel that needs to look more to social issues than its military. The exact same thing can be said about the US, a nation 15 trillion in debt still spending .75 trillion a year on the military (while cutting basic social services like Medicare.) And Israel has a lot more to worry about than the US. Again, nice article. I notice several people have already responded with typical paranoia. Ignore them and keep on message.
15. Rubbish editorial
David ,   Israel   (02.15.12)
India and Pakistan? This is why India constantly incurs terrorism from Pakistan and is unable to retaliate. As the new IAF commander responded to thoughts on Iran, he asked an Indian general why they never responded to the attacks in Mumbai, to which the man's reply was simple - they have nuclear weapons. Iran is far more motivated to attack Israel then Pakistan is of India. We could only expect more frequent and larger attacks if they become nuclear This country spends much of it's budget on defense because of valid reasons. A country's economy cannot prosper when it doesn't have a stable environment. While you do have a point that Israel needs to increase expenditure on education and the lower demographic, You sincerely lack an educated view to think that scrapping defense investment is the right direction
16. Rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic
Gee ,   Zikron Yaakov   (02.15.12)
The Irans announce that they are going to commit genocide on us and we are just support to spend more money on making lazy peoples' lives easier and more fulfilling without protecting them from being killed. The moron needs to find a brain, his is lost.
17. Pakistan never threatened to wipe India off the map
naro ,   nyc   (02.15.12)
18. #11 HOW WOULD YOU KNOW ?
DA URBAN POET ,   SAFED ISRAEL   (02.15.12)
You write from NYC USA so how would you know " by no means Israel does not ignore the poor " ?? The poverty here is serious and a real problem .Most folks in this town ,and many places here, are unconcerned with Iran Shmiran .They can not pay the exorbitant prices for food and other goods which cost double the price of similar goods in the US and Europe ,and wages here are shitty.
19. #6 WORRYING ABOUT SURVIVAL
DA URBAN POET ,   SAFED ISRAEL   (02.15.12)
Jeff ,the poor in Israel ,and there are a huge number of poor ,are worried about survival each and every day .They can be seen begging on each street asking for Tzedaka . The poor here barely survive .I am not worried about Iran .Iran would be defeated very quickly in any war .Israel is plenty strong militarily and is big enough and ugly enough to look after itself militarily ,as has been proven many times. The poor here struggle to survive every day .
20. I AGREE WITH AMNON SHAMOSH
DA URBAN POET ,   SAFED ISRAEL   (02.15.12)
Israel can ill afford to waste money on Iran .Here's the bad news folks and the truth nobody wants to acknowledge .Even if all iranian nuclear facilities are totally destroyed ,and that is impossible because they are buried hundreds of feet beneath mountains and some facilities are unknown ,the iranians will simply rebuild them with incredible determination .Israels' people ,and especially its poor ,will continue to receive " the short end of the stick ."
21. To: No. 4
Sarah B ,   U.S.A. / Israel   (02.15.12)
Have you forgotten Iran's invasion of the U.S. Embassy in Teheran (U.S. soil, by the way) and the taking of hostages? Have you forgotten that Iran refers to the United States as the "Great Satan?" Have you forgotten that the burning of the United States flag is a daily occurrence in Iran? Or perhaps you never knew any of the foregoing in the first place. You are hardly the sharpest knife in the drawer.
22. don't "WASTE" ???
les ,   canada   (02.15.12)
amnon, you don't sound like a smart person to me. i may not be a smart person either, but i am very concerned if following your advise, there may not be any "poor" people in israel to invest in.......remember hitler? nobody "wasted" money to get rid of him. you may have heard the result of it.
23. Don't waste money on Iran?
Syd Chaden ,   Palermo Calif USA   (02.15.12)
The premise that Israel should not waste money on defending against Iran is tantamount to the premise that Israel should not waste money on its survival. The fact that Israel may not be perfect, or that its government may not be perfect, does not alter that basic fact. They never will be perfect, now will those who have dedicated themselves to Israel's destruction. Nor will those who would rather make believe that no threat exists than face up to reality. It is a much simpler matter to anguish over a Holocaust that has already occurred, than it is to act to prevent one that is in the offing, but which has not yet happened.
24. Just a (naive) layman
tiki ,   belgium   (02.15.12)
If you don't 'waste money on Iran, you won't be needing "funds for the poor, medicines for the sick, daycare centers for children and money for higher education. History has taught us to 'always take crazy dictators very serious. Like the old saying goes "better safe than sorry.
25. The Israeli poor will receive no benefit
Rich ,   Toronto, Canada   (02.15.12)
from an attack on Iran. The government knows how to make war, but they don't know how to take care of Israeli citizens. What is the Jewish state worth?
26. i disagree
tom ,   toronto, canada   (02.16.12)
does israel really "spend all its money on defense"? according to the cia world factbook, israel spent 7.3% of gdp on the military in 2006, which is fairly high. (and part of that comes from american aid.) but saudi arabia spent 10% of its gdp on the military (2005 est.), in spite of having none of the threats that israel faces. (in fact, according to the cia, oman, qatar, saudi arabia, jordan and iraq all exceed israel's military spending, while yemen, syria, turkey, kuwait, morocco, bahrain and brunei are all in the top 20.) just to make things more interesting, iran announced just last week that they were more than doubling their military budget. the 150% increase should move iran from 62 on the list to about equal with israel at #6. but i guess mere facts don't make for a compelling emotional argument.
27. a point to ponder
tom ,   toronto, canada   (02.16.12)
"war doesn't settle who is right - only who is left."
28. DON'T LET US DO THE DIRTY WORK FOR ARAB STATES & THE WEST.
Nowhere Man ,   Metropolis, Zion   (02.16.12)
29. Be realistic.Plan for a miracle.
ORA ,   JERUSALEM   (02.16.12)
Seriously,help yourself and G-D will help you.
30. Spend our tax money on defense or
jason white ,   afula,israel   (02.16.12)
both the poor and rich will be nuked. Why must we always use our tax money to help many of those that refuse to work? If someone cannot physically work or has a chronic disease then we should help them. The others do not deserve an agora of our money. I am working 8 hours a day, seven days a week now to support myself. I do not want to support others.Let them work for themselves. If they realize that we will not support them, then maybe they will go to work.
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