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"Existential threat to Israel": Obama's relentless war effort against Iran and Syria
Syria and Iran are showing remarkable resilience and restraint in the face of extreme aggression by the U.S., Israel and NATO.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) and US President Barack Obama shake hands
during a joint press conference at the Prime Minister's Residence in Jerusalem, March 20, 2013,
on the first day of Obama's three day trip to Israel. AFP PHOTO / Saul LOEB
___________________________________________________________________________
"Existential threat to Israel": Obama's relentless war effort against Iran and Syria
Propaganda alert
compiled by Cem Ertür
21 March 2013
Syria and Iran are showing remarkable resilience and restraint in the face of extreme aggression by the U.S., Israel and NATO.
_________________________________
“As
we all know, the Syrian situation continues to become worse and worse
and worse. The [NATO] alliance has taken a position that it will follow
the same sequence that was used in Libya. [...] We are
looking at a wide range of [military] operations, and we are prepared
if called upon to be engaged [militarily] as we were in
Libya.”
[NATO’s top commander Adm. James Stavridis, testimony before the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, 19 March 2013] [1]
_________________________________
America’s
commitment to the security of the State of Israel is a solemn
obligation, and the security of Israel is non-negotiable. Today, our
military and intelligence personnel cooperate more closely than ever
before. [...]
With respect to Syria, the United States continues to work with allies and friends and the Syrian opposition to hasten the end of Assad’s rule [...] Assad has lost his legitimacy to lead by attacking the Syrian people with almost every conventional weapon in his arsenal, including Scud missiles. And we have been clear that the use of chemical weapons against the Syrian people would be a serious and tragic mistake.
With respect to Syria, the United States continues to work with allies and friends and the Syrian opposition to hasten the end of Assad’s rule [...] Assad has lost his legitimacy to lead by attacking the Syrian people with almost every conventional weapon in his arsenal, including Scud missiles. And we have been clear that the use of chemical weapons against the Syrian people would be a serious and tragic mistake.
We also share Israel’s grave concern about the transfer of chemical or other weapon systems to terrorists -- such as Hezbollah -- that might be used against Israel. The Assad regime must understand that they will be held accountable for the use of chemical weapons or their transfer to terrorists. [...]
We agree that a nuclear-armed Iran would be a threat to the region, a threat to the world, and potentially an existential threat to Israel. And we agree on our goal. We do not have a policy of containment when it comes to a nuclear Iran. Our policy is to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. [...] All options are on the table. We will do what is necessary to prevent Iran from getting the world’s worst weapons. [...]
[W]e consider Israel's security of extraordinary importance to us [...]
[U.S. President Barack Obama, joint press conference with the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Jerusalem, 20 March 2013] [2]
A
nuclear-armed Iran is completely counter to Israel’s security
interests. But it is also counter to the national security interests of
the United States. Indeed, the entire world has an interest in
preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. [...]
[A nuclear-armed Iran] would embolden a regime that has brutalized its own people, and it would embolden Iran’s proxies, who have carried out terrorist attacks from the Levant to southwest Asia.
[A nuclear-armed Iran] would embolden a regime that has brutalized its own people, and it would embolden Iran’s proxies, who have carried out terrorist attacks from the Levant to southwest Asia.
[U.S. President Barack Obama, speech at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee’s (AIPAC) annual policy conference, Washington DC, 4 March 2012] [3]
[W]hen
I walked among the Hall of Names at Yad Vashem [Holocaust Museum], I
was reminded of the existential fear of Israelis when a modern dictator
seeks nuclear weapons and threatens to wipe Israel off the face of the
map -- face of the Earth.
Because we understand the challenges Israel faces, I and my administration have made the security of Israel a priority. It’s why we’ve increased cooperation between our militaries to unprecedented levels. It’s why we’re making our most advanced technologies available to our Israeli allies. It’s why, despite tough fiscal times, we’ve increased foreign military financing to record levels. [...]
You also see our commitment to our shared security in our determination to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. [...] Iran continues to support terrorism across the region, including providing weapons and funds to terrorist organizations.
Because we understand the challenges Israel faces, I and my administration have made the security of Israel a priority. It’s why we’ve increased cooperation between our militaries to unprecedented levels. It’s why we’re making our most advanced technologies available to our Israeli allies. It’s why, despite tough fiscal times, we’ve increased foreign military financing to record levels. [...]
You also see our commitment to our shared security in our determination to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. [...] Iran continues to support terrorism across the region, including providing weapons and funds to terrorist organizations.
[U.S. President Barack Obama, speech at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee’s (AIPAC) annual policy conference, Washington DC, 22 May 2011] [4]
Iranian
regime [...] sponsors terrorism, pursues nuclear weapons and
threatens Israel's existence. A nuclear Iran would pose a grave threat
and the world must prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear
weapon. [...]
I bring to Sderot, an unshakeable commitment to Israel's security. The state of Israel faces determined enemies who seek its destruction. But it also has a friend and ally in the United States that will always stand by the people of Israel. [...] I will take no options off the table in dealing with this potential Iranian threat. [...]
I bring to Sderot, an unshakeable commitment to Israel's security. The state of Israel faces determined enemies who seek its destruction. But it also has a friend and ally in the United States that will always stand by the people of Israel. [...] I will take no options off the table in dealing with this potential Iranian threat. [...]
[U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama, press conference in Sderot, Israel, 23 July 2008] [5]
Syria
continues its support for terror and meddling in Lebanon. And Syria has
taken dangerous steps in pursuit of weapons of mass destruction, which
is why Israeli action was justified to end that threat. [...]
There is no greater threat to Israel – or to the peace and stability of the region – than Iran. Now this audience is made up of both Republicans and Democrats, and the enemies of Israel should have no doubt that, regardless of party, Americans stand shoulder-to-shoulder in our commitment to Israel's security. [...]
The Iranian regime supports violent extremists and challenges us across the region. It pursues a nuclear capability that could spark a dangerous arms race, and raise the prospect of a transfer of nuclear know-how to terrorists. Its President denies the Holocaust and threatens to wipe Israel off the map. The danger from Iran is grave, it is real, and my goal will be to eliminate this threat.
But just as we are clear-eyed about the threat, we must be clear about the failure of today's policy. We knew, in 2002, that Iran supported terrorism. We knew Iran had an illicit nuclear program. We knew Iran posed a grave threat to Israel. But instead of pursuing a strategy to address this threat, we ignored it and instead invaded and occupied Iraq.
There is no greater threat to Israel – or to the peace and stability of the region – than Iran. Now this audience is made up of both Republicans and Democrats, and the enemies of Israel should have no doubt that, regardless of party, Americans stand shoulder-to-shoulder in our commitment to Israel's security. [...]
The Iranian regime supports violent extremists and challenges us across the region. It pursues a nuclear capability that could spark a dangerous arms race, and raise the prospect of a transfer of nuclear know-how to terrorists. Its President denies the Holocaust and threatens to wipe Israel off the map. The danger from Iran is grave, it is real, and my goal will be to eliminate this threat.
But just as we are clear-eyed about the threat, we must be clear about the failure of today's policy. We knew, in 2002, that Iran supported terrorism. We knew Iran had an illicit nuclear program. We knew Iran posed a grave threat to Israel. But instead of pursuing a strategy to address this threat, we ignored it and instead invaded and occupied Iraq.
[U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama, speech at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee’s (AIPAC) annual policy conference, Washington DC, 4 June 2008] [6]
As
the U.S. redeploys from Iraq, we can recapture lost influence in the
Middle East. We can refocus our efforts to critical, yet neglected
priorities, such as combating international terrorism and winning the
war in Afghanistan. And we can, then, more effectively deal with one of
the greatest threats to the United States, Israel and world peace:
Iran. Iran's President Ahmadinejad's regime is a threat to all of
us. [...] In the 21st century, it is unacceptable
that a member state of the United Nations would openly call for the
elimination of another member state. [...]
The world must work to stop Iran's uranium enrichment program and prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. It is far too dangerous to have nuclear weapons in the hands of a radical theocracy. And while we should take no option, including military action, off the table, sustained and aggressive diplomacy combined with tough sanctions should be our primary means to prevent Iran from building nuclear weapons.
The world must work to stop Iran's uranium enrichment program and prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. It is far too dangerous to have nuclear weapons in the hands of a radical theocracy. And while we should take no option, including military action, off the table, sustained and aggressive diplomacy combined with tough sanctions should be our primary means to prevent Iran from building nuclear weapons.
[U.S. Senator Barack Obama, speech at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee’s (AIPAC) annual policy conference, Chicago, 2 March 2007] [7]
_________________________________
Notes:
[1] Stavridis shares NATO perspective on Afghanistan, Syria
by Tyrone C. Marshall, U.S. Department of Defense website, 19 March 2013
[2] Remarks by President Obama and Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel in joint press conference
The White House website, 20 March 2013
[3] Remarks by the President at AIPAC Policy Conference
The White House website, 4 March 2012
[4] Remarks by the President at the AIPAC Policy Conference 2011
The White House website, 22 May 2011
[5] Obama’s speech in Sderot, Israel
New York Times website, 23 July 2008
[6] Remarks to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee Policy Conference in Washington, D.C.
The American Presidency Project website, 4 June 2008
[7] Remarks at the AIPAC Policy Forum in Chicago
The American Presidency Project website, 2 March 2007
_________________________________
Related articles:
US-Israeli bellicose threats against Syria and Iran
by Bill Van Auken, Global Research, 21 March 2013
US, NATO prepare Syria Intervention
by Bill Van Auken, Global Research, 20 March 2013
NATO proxies using weapons of mass destruction in Syria
by Tony Cartalucci, Press TV, 19 March 2013
_________________________________
From the archives:
Israeli President Peres calls for an Arab League-led invasion and occupation of Syria
by Cem Ertür, Indybay, 14 March 2013
"Those who seek to destroy Israel": Endless fear mongering by Prime Minister Netanyahu
by Cem Ertür, Indybay, 29 January 2013
Israel's "red line" on Iranian nuclear programme and a flashback to 1986
by Cem Ertür, Indybay, 28 September 2012
President Obama threatens Iran and Syria: "I will always stand with Israel"
by Cem Ertür, Indybay, 25 April 2012
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