Yes, it is possible that Israeli leaders could be bluffing. Yes, it is also possible that they are simply trying to pressure the U.S. and international community to take more decisive action to neutralize the Iranian nuclear threat. But reading the latest tea leaves, I believe evidence is rapidly mounting that this could really be it — Israel could be just days or weeks away from a massive preemptive strike against Iran.
I believe there are significant changes in the way Israeli leaders are speaking about the possibility of war. One fact that has particularly caught my attention in the last 24 hours is that Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon is telling reporters that it is time for the world to admit that diplomacy has not worked, and that Iran only has “weeks” and not “months” to cease nuclear activity. To be clear: I’m still praying for the peace of Jerusalem and the epicenter everyday, as we are commanded in Psalm 122:6. I’m not advocating war. I would be so glad if Israel and/or the world could find a way to neutralize Iran without violence and bloodshed. But I don’t want to see a Second Holocaust either, and that’s surely what Israel would be facing if Iran gets the Bomb. I believe that Prime Minister Netanyahu believes he is out of other options, and it’s clear to him thus far that the Obama administration is not going to act decisively to prevent Iran from getting the Bomb in time. There could be numerous detours on the journey in the days and weeks ahead. But unless something dramatic changes quickly, I believe that everyone in the corridor between Tel Aviv and Tehran are on the verge of a massive and imminent war.
As you know, I spent two weeks in Israel in July, meeting with The Joshua Fund staff there and many of our key allies. Then, before leaving Washington, I also held two full days of meetings with our senior staff to evaluate our 2012 and 2013 budgets, and reassess our war preparations. I can report to you that we are doing everything we possibly can to be prepared for what is coming, by God’s grace. It won’t be easy. There will be many surprises and enormous challenges, I’m sure. But we’ve been praying and planning and organizing and training and building alliances since 2006 for this moment, and we’re deeply grateful for your prayers and financial support. Please keep praying for Israel and her neighbors and for The Joshua Fund as we approach these very dark days ahead.
Here are the latest significant developments:
- Israel’s Deputy Foreign Minister Asks Nations to Say Iran Talks Have Failed — “Asked how long the Iranians should be given to cease all nuclear activity, Mr. Ayalon said ‘weeks, and not more than that.'” (NYT)
- PM: If Iran goes nuclear, it may actually use bomb — “In a television interview last week, Netanyahu said that he sees ‘the regime of the ayatollahs declaring what it has etched on its banner – to destroy us. It is working to destroy us, and is preparing atom bombs to destroy us. As much as it is dependent on me, I will not let that happen.'”
- New intelligence reveals Iranian military nuclear program advancing faster than previously thought
- Ambassador Oren: Israel’s clock on Iran ‘ticking faster’ than Obama’s — In an interview to MSNBC, Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Michael Oren says five months of diplomacy on the Iranian nuclear program ‘haven’t worked.’
- US didn’t foresee 9/11, officials in Jerusalem say, after White House claims it would know if Iran was about to get the bomb
- Netanyahu: Threats to home front are ‘dwarfed’ by danger of a nuclear Iran
- Israeli officials say: “We have entered the phase of strategic decisions”
- Barak: New U.S. intelligence report raises urgency over Iran’s nuclear program
- Iran’s atomic project getting harder to foresee: Barak
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