ABC News> Obama to House Dems: If Sanctions Fail, Israel Will Likely Strike Iran

[sabra]

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/07/obama-to-house.html

Sen. Barack Obama, D-Illinois, met with House Democrats yesterday, talking about his trip abroad and his observations.

Obama told the caucus, according to an attendee, "Nobody said this to me directly but I get the feeling from my talks that if the sanctions don’t work Israel is going to strike Iran."

The notion that Israel is preparing for such an action against Iran's myriad nuclear facilities is not new, with conjecture heating up in May after an Israeli military exercise featuring 150 aircraft flying almost a thousand miles over the Mediterranean Sea in what was seen as a dress rehearsal for an air strike. Now that the Bush administration is engaged in diplomatic efforts with Iran, many Israeli officials are worried the US is getting soft on Iran, prompting Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak to travel to the US this week to meet with Defense Secretary Robert Gates, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, and National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley. Barak's office released a statement saying "a policy that consists of keeping all options on the table must be maintained."

Another attendee at the meeting of House Democrats recalls Obama saying that the good news is that Obama got the sense that the Arab states understand just how destabilizing a nuclear Iran would be -- a "game changer," Obama said -- because they know Israel would probably strike and that would be bad for everyone.

A senior adviser to Obama told ABC News that Obama was heartened to hear Jordan's King Abdullah share that view with him in their private meeting.

[NightWatcher]

1. I wonder what else is discussed in these closed door meetings

did he say to what extent h/we'll back up Israel?

[Tarc]

2. Let them try

I have no love for Iran, but Israeli arrogance needs a sore wake-up call. Seeing their planes shot out of the sky may just do the trick.

[Winterblues]

3. IMO Israel is just too damn big for their britches.

Granted they accomplished their goal completely when they bombed Iraq's nuclear plants but so many things have changed since then. I do believe if they bomb Iran ,unless America steps in, they will be removed from this earth..They don't have nearly the power they think they do..

[AndyTiedye]

4. They Have That Power Because They Know AIPAC Can Make Congress Support Them No Matter What They Do

[dysfunctional press]

6. what is the relationship between israel and china like? is there one...?

by the end of the century, israel may find that they've hitched their wagon to the wrong superpower.

[donco6]

5. I think he's right, except . . .

. . . they may strike just because they can, and they know they'll get away with it.

[ellacott]

7. I don't think this should have been reported.