Yaalon denies revealing Israel military secrets
Former IDF chief of staff Yaalon in exclusive comments to Ynet responds to criticism that he had revealed Israel military secrets by saying Jewish State has military option to obliterate Iran’s nuclear program; says comments were response to claims that military option does not exist
(WASHINGTON) Former IDF chief of staff Moshe Yaalon on Friday brushed aside accusations that he had revealed Israel’s military secrets during a Thursday speech in Washington where he said Israel is capable of obliterating Iran’s nuclear facilities.
“I revealed no military secrets; my comments were said out the responsibility that Israel should not be first,” Yaalon told Ynet.
“I spoke at the Hudson Institute in Washington part of a discussion of articles published in the United States, Europe and Israel, arguing that there is no military option against Iran. I spoke during the lecture, without tying Israel directly, that the air forces of the United States, Europe and Israel have the capability to considerably damage Iran’s nuclear program, which will be delayed by years,” he added.
“I didn’t speak of an Israeli option, neither of an Israeli plan, but it was important to say that the west has to show decisiveness in the face of this threat. So long the Iranian regime does not see western decisiveness, it will estimate that the west fears to deal with it,” Yaalon said.
Yaalon said he wanted to warn that there is a military option, but he also mentioned the price of military action.
'Israel has military option against Iran'
On Thursday Yaalon was quoted as saying that Israel definitely has a military option against Iran, which must not be ruled out. He added that the use of such an option could significantly damage Iran's nuclear program and set it back by a number of years.
Yaalon's comments were quoted by Channel 1 on Thursday night. According to the former chief of staff, Iran is expected to respond to an Israeli attack with Shihab missiles, as well as missiles from Lebanon, and Qassam rockets from the territories.
Diplomatic sources in Jerusalem reacted furiously to the comments, saying it was "simply madness."
"Without addressing the contents of the statements, this is national irresponsibility. Even as a chief of staff he spoke too much, and when he is released he doesn't stop," said a source.
Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz branded Yaalon’s comments “unnecessary,” saying senior government and military officials should be responsible when mentioning information they come to know during their service.
The Hudson Institute is thought to be associated to right-wing circles in the American government.
The former chief of staff spoke publicly two days ago on Israeli readiness against the Iranian nuclear threat in front of an audience of dozens.
He emphasized that the world must isolate Iran economically and defensively. Yaalon did not speak about the possibility that Israel would attack Iran alone, but rather with American and European air forces.
"There will be a need to attack a few dozen sites. The air forces of Israel, the United States, and Europe can carry this out," said Yaalon.
He added that Iran "would have nuclear technology within a year and a half, and will have the bomb within 3 – 5 years."
