(Newser)
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is doubling down on his willingness to go after Iran without the support of the international community, including the US, if his people "find ourselves with our backs against the wall." Yesterday's claim wasn't the first time he's made such claims, but his stern tone on the eve of the US election was likely meant to get attention Stateside, reports the New York Times. "I am not eager to go to war," he said during a television interview, adding that his renewed threat "isn't a show. This is not false." One problem with that plan, however: Israel probably doesn't have the firepower to take out Iran's nuclear weapons program on its own.
Meanwhile, in another controversial move yesterday, Israel announced its plans to go forward with the construction of 1,213 new homes on annexed West Bank lands, something the United Nations has strongly opposed, reports Reuters. Palestine is eager to get recognition from the UN as a non-member state in order to prevent such moves from Israel. In response, Netanyahu called a meeting today to discuss possible punitive actions against Palestine.
