How Netanyahu is calculating Israel's response to Iran

Israel’s military apparently pulled this intercepted Iranian ballistic missile out of the Dead Sea, putting it on show to demonstrate how much damage it could have done. We cannot stand still from this kind of aggression. Iran says it was Israel that actually fired first by killing two of its generals in a Syrian diplomatic consulate on April the 1st, and its foreign ministry continues to warn if Israel retaliates Iran’s. Fonts will be immediate and severe. But before Saturday night, Iran had never directly hit Israel, and Israel’s leaders are now trying to build a case. Simply letting it go to Deescalate, as many countries, including the United States, are urging, is not an option. On a visit with new military recruits, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tried to connect Iran’s attack to Israel’s now six month long war against Hamas in Gaza. Iran stands behind Hamas, behind Hezbollah, he said. It’s part of a much bigger system. This former Israeli diplomat says Netanyahu will do whatever is most likely to keep him in power. He will be trounced in any election, which is why he’s trying to prolong the war in Gaza, which which is why he’s trying to maintain a war atmosphere via Iran. For the moment, Iran has shifted the focus off Gaza and the immense criticism Israel has faced for the destruction and suffering it’s inflicted. But Alan Pincus doubts Israel can avoid Gaza for long. If Iran goes away, he gets the accolades for exercising your strength. But then attention goes back to Gaza. He loses. If he attacks Iran, he loses. He’s in a no win situation. In Tel Aviv, people were anxious, but many also supported A reprisal against Iran. A targeted strike like that was the best move. And continue targeted strike is the continued best move. I believe that if we do a violence, it will drag more violence and I don’t believe that we should continue doing so. Several European foreign ministers are reportedly on their way to Israel. To make the case in person that the country should consider the broader strategic issues. Chris Brown, CBC News, Jerusalem.