If Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Galant bring a proposal to act in Iran, it will win a broad majority in the political-security cabinet – unlike the situation a decade ago, when Netanyahu and then-Defense Minister Barak did not obtain a majority in the cabinet for a proposal for action in Iran.
In recent weeks, tensions between Israel and Iran have greatly increased, against the background of the exposure of advanced Iranian-made missiles and its continued progress in its nuclear program. Senior Israeli officials made explicit threats, making clear that Israel would not hesitate to act if circumstances justified it.
If they bring a proposal to act in Iran, they will win a majority. Netanyahu and Galant (Archive), Photo: Haim Tzach / GPO
Means that did not exist in the past
An assessment of the positions of the ministers of the political-security cabinet indicates that most of them will vote in favor of action in Iran if Netanyahu and Galant present them with a position that requires such action. Moreover, given the hawkish spirit of the government, it is possible that the cabinet in its current composition will even show a more activist approach than previous compositions.
Israel is also convinced that although there has been extensive progress in Iran's nuclear program over the past decade, the operational capabilities of the IDF and intelligence services have also improved dramatically, and Israel now has means it did not have in the past.
Throughout the week, the IDF and the political leadership held an extensive exercise, which included, among other things, a scenario of an operation in Iran as part of a multi-front campaign. At a cabinet meeting earlier this week, which practiced the scenario, Prime Minister Netanyahu said: "The reality in our region is changing rapidly. We don't stand still. We adjust our doctrine of war and our options for action according to these changes and according to our goals, which are not changing.
"We are committed to acting against Iran's nuclear program. We are confident and confident that we can handle any threat on our own, and by other means."
He made it clear that he would back action by the government in Iran. Benny Gantz (archive), photo: Oren Ben Hakon
"Iran is on our doorstep"
In response to the exposure of Iran's hypersonic missile, Defense Minister Galant said on Monday: "For everything like this, we have a better response – in the air, sea and on land – in defense and offensive efforts. We will know how to defend the citizens of Israel, and how to strike our enemies a decisive blow if, God forbid, they start a war against us."
Former Defense Minister Benny Gantz, chairman of the state camp, also made it clear that he would back government action in Iran. "We are currently witnessing the development of a real threat of a nuclear Iran on our doorstep. We are at crucial moments. As a leader of the opposition, I want to send a clear message: The State of Israel will do whatever it takes to prevent a threat to its existence.
"Despite our differences, if the time comes when we have to act, the current government will have the full backing of the opposition for any determined, appropriate and responsible action to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons."
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