US-backed madness of Netanyahu's speech

That was the message of Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in his recent speech at the UN General Assembly. A nuclear holocaust is imminent. Netanyahu confirmed his reputation as an unrelenting warmonger. His target is Iran. But not even Israel’s best friend, the US, wants a new war in the volatile region of great importance to the world economy.

Stephff’s cartoon (Opinion, October 1) depicting Netanyahu holding Iran’s smoking bomb also shows Netanyahu about to explode Israel’s own bomb, whose existence has never been denied or confirmed by Israel. Israel is not a signatory to the treaty on the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons (NPT). Members are required to open their nuclear facilities to IAEA inspectors. As a signatory to the NPT, Iran has the same rights as Germany or Japan.

According to Netanyahu’s horror scenario, Iran, if not stopped, will have nuclear bombs next summer. And then what? Netanyahu’s rhetoric implies that Iran will use them against Israel. However, Iran is convinced that Israel is in possession of modern nuclear bombs and other sophisticated weapons. Iran also knows that for its protection, Israel can rely on the US and Nato, which own the most formidable arsenals in the history of warfare. That detailed plans are in place for attacks on Iran is not a secret. Any attempt by Iran to hit Israel would be tantamount to suicide. And the Iranians know it. Iran is not a threat to Israel.

Furthermore, millions of Palestinians live in the region of Israel, Gaza and the West Bank. They would also be engulfed in the conflagration predicted by Netanyahu. Does Israel’s leader really believe that the Iranians are ready to massacre their own friends?

“Crippling sanctions” (Hillary Clinton’s words) have been imposed on Iran, aiming to damage, paralyse or destroy the country’s economy. The sanctions are based on the suspicion that Iran might be working on a nuclear bomb. Nobody can be punished for a crime he has not committed. Economic sanctions are collective punishment. The poor and the weak suffer most. Children are not spared. Such treatment of the Iranian people is a violation of human rights and international principles of justice.

Manfred Liebig

Germany