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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2009
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5

CIA Chief Warned Israel Against Attacking Iran

Panetta told that Israel won't bomb Iran without first alerting Washington

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(Newser) – CIA director Leon Panetta was sent on a secret mission to Israel earlier this month to warn the country's leaders against launching a surprise attack against Iran, the Times of London reports. Panetta asked for—and received—assurances from Israel's hawkish new government  that the country would not bomb Iranian nuclear facilities without alerting the US.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly told Panetta that Israel "did not intend to surprise the US on Iran." Netanyahu will visit Washington this weekend, and he is expected to try to persuade President Obama and Hillary Clinton to take a harder line against Iran, and focus on the Iranian issue instead of talks with the Palestinians.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu raised the issue of Iran with Pope Benedict XVI during the pontiff's visit to Israel this week.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu raised the issue of Iran with Pope Benedict XVI during the pontiff's visit to Israel this week.   (AP Photo/ GPO, Moshe Milner, HO)
CIA Director Leon Panetta visited Israel for secret talks with the country's new government earlier this month.
CIA Director Leon Panetta visited Israel for secret talks with the country's new government earlier this month.   (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to focus on the Iranian issue when he visits Washington this weekend for talks with the president.
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to focus on the Iranian issue when he visits Washington this weekend for talks with the president.   (AP Photo/Ammar Awad, Pool)
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5 comments
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ClearSight
May 15, 09 6:41 AM CDT
If someone tells you they want to kill you, why would you choose to ignore them? Iran has done the same thing to Israel, they (Israel) would be derelict in their duty to their people to ignore such a threat. Reply
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-4
Collusive
May 15, 09 7:06 AM CDT
If someone said they were going to kill you, and they had a group of friends surrounding you ready to do the same to you once you attacked that person, would it be wise to do so? Reply
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0
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ClearSight
May 15, 09 9:26 AM CDT
You must have been one of those kids that was easily bullied in grade school. Grow a spine.
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-1
shonangreg
May 15, 09 10:44 AM CDT
If you break into someone's living room, set up camp, and then start shooting the residents when they complain, then you shouldn't be surprised at anything they might do to you. Reply
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IN RESPONSE:
ClearSight
May 16, 09 10:42 PM CDT
That sounds suspiciously like a veiled slap at Israels right to exist and a Arab/ Palestinian/ Terrorist sympathizer rolled into one kind of comment. The Arabs don't like a stand up fight thats why they fear Israel. Limp wristed responses have never worked over there, only a position of power that Isreal projects keeps the dogs at bay......... PS. I use the word Arab as a generic term for the non Jewish semitic language speaking people that occupy the middle east.
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