Editor's Letter "Yi equilibrium The Iranian Threat H istory tells Jews oh so starkly to fear enemies who call for our extermination. Nazi Germany sought to exter- minate European Jewry as recently as 70 years ago through Hitler's "Final Solution',' a cunning, deceptive plan that became bolder as it took root and the body count climbed. Six million Jews died in the Holocaust, but five million oth- ers considered subhuman by Aryans — gypsies, prisoners of war, homosexu- als, people with physical or mental dis- abilities — did, too. The civilized world knows the awful price it paid by underestimating the graveness of the Third Reich siege on the non-Aryan citizens of Germany and neighboring states. That Iran, a sovereign state, today denies the Holocaust and calls for Israel's destruction is cause for world concern. Don't for a second think Iran wouldn't bomb the Jewish state. Does Israel fear Iran — a political patchwork of ruling clerics, a powerful army and a scary president? "Absolutely, we take it seriously' ) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin "Bibi" Netanyahu told a CNN audience of Larry King Live on July 7 during the Israeli leader's visit to Washington to meet with President Obama. "We also know that Israel was founded to defend the Jewish people. So we reserve always the right to defend ourselves': said the Likud party leader, elected prime minister for a second time in 2009. regimes is a worthy goal. Iran not only is a terror monger and a Holocaust denier, Netanyahu said, but the government in Tehran is quick to shoot unsupportive citizens. Imagine the Islamic Republic deploying a nuclear blast as it champions mass terror. I was especially interested to hear the reply when King asked Netanyahu whether sitting down with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was possible. Giving some context, Netanyahu replied: "Well, if he wanted to change the policies of Iran. We used to have friendly relations with Iran. It actually rec- ognized Israel. We had exchanges all the time' Resigned to the darkened mists of reality, Netanyahu did offer one remote path to brighter times: "When Ahmadinejad decides to recognize the State of Israel and seek peace with it, believe me, I'll be there eagerly waiting. But I'm afraid I don't see that. I see the very opposite." I do as well. Its not extreme to ask Iran to at least recognize the Jewish state before entertaining the prospect of Israeli-Iranian peace talks — tenuous as such talks would be. Terror - Minded Proxies In his conversation with King, Netanyahu also addressed Hezbollah and Hamas, both Iranian surrogates. He said Lebanon was once "the Switzerland of the Middle East" with a robust economy until Hezbollah moved in, undermined "any attempt at moderation" and began a 6,000- rocket air assault on Israel. There has been no movement toward peace between Israel and Lebanon not because the Lebanese people don't want it, but because "radical forces, pro- Iranian forces like Hezbollah, are preventing it',' Bibi's Crystal Ball he said. When he first became prime minister 14 years In the Gaza Strip to Israel's south, Netanyahu ago, Netanyahu presciently defined a nuclear Iran told King that Iran similarly armed Hamas, as the greatest threat to humanity. "I can tell you, sworn by charter to destroy the ancestral 14 years later, that most of the world's leaders homeland of the Jewish people and a classic today agree with this," he told King. brutalizer of Gazans. Hamas' strategy since Most probably do. routing the Palestinian Authority's Fatah party Israel has no choice but to hold an option on a to seize power: launching 6,000 of its own military response to Iran's flirtation with nuclear rockets at Sderot and surrounding parts of the capability if tougher U.S., Canadian, Australian Negev. and European Union sanctions, coupled with In both cases, the rocket fire raged after modest U.N. sanctions, fail to disrupt the Persian Benjamin Netanyahu Israel withdrew all troops — from Lebanon in state's economy. Let's hope the sanctions, restrict- 2000 and from Gaza in 2005. ing business dealings with Iran's oil and gas sec- Bibi's hard line notwithstanding, I would not object if Israel tor, force Iran to forgo an atomic bomb. Importantly, even Obama sought preliminary goal-setting talks with either Hezbollah or has said all options are on the table when it comes to Iran. Hamas. I just don't think they'd go anywhere. The two terrorist organizations won't change their terrorist stripes any time soon Unequal Playing Field because they can't. As proxies dependent on Iran for arms, sup- Not known as a tough interviewer, Larry King did ask plies and money, they are beholden to Tehran. Netanyahu why it's okay for Israel to be nuclear armed, but not Israel and the West would have to reform Tehran before Gaza Iran. The prime minister reminded King that Israel isn't threat- City and Beirut would change. Netanyahu summed it up well: ening to destroy another country. "As long as Iran doesn't want peace, they don't want peace:' "We don't seek the destruction of any country or any people') Netanyahu said. "We don't say that an entire people has to be wiped off the map of the Earth. We don't have such intentions." Lees be blunt: Israel's use of its suspected nuclear arsenal 0 : Should Israel try to engage the I— • would only be in response to an ominous, direct threat. rogue regime running Iran? 0 RAJ Netanyahu appropriately cites the threat of a nuclear Iran as 1— Z z Can you envision meaningful talks graver than that of a nuclear Netherlands. His point: Banning 60 with Hezbollah or Hamas? nuclear weapons worldwide isn't practical, but striving to prevent a. 0 - them from falling into the military might of the most-dangerous Dear Xtend: What have you done with my cellulite? ...nevermind, I don't want it back. Apt tend Pilates Sculpts Your Body Xtend" Chisels it Come to Equilibrium Studio where Xtend Classes are $14 Reformer Classes are $21 Your Second Class is FREE call 248.723.6500 and use code JN 6405 Telegraph • at Maple & Telegraph buildings G & H visit www.equilibriumstudio.com to schedule your class online twitter: @equilibriumMl facebook: equilibriumpilatesstudio youtube: equilibriumMl August 5• 2010 5