ISRAEL'S NATIONAL security council has urged contingency plans to be drawn up for a military strike against Iran, warning that there is a limited "window" before Tehran obtains a nuclear bomb.
The daily Ha'aretznewspaper reported yesterday that the country's top security advisory body would tell ministers next month, as part of its annual review, that "Iran's threat to Israel's survival" was the country's top strategic concern. The council warned that Israel faced the threat from Tehran "almost alone", and it was imperative to mobilise the international community and strive for regional co-operation.
Following US president-elect Barack Obama's proposal for direct talks with Iran and the recent US state department suggestion to open a US interest section in Tehran, the council expressed concern that the incoming administration may make overtures to the Islamic state. It urged close co-operation with Washington to prevent a deal between the US and Iran that could undermine Israel's interests.
The Iranian question is likely to be top of the agenda when US president George W Bush meets Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert at the White House today. The outgoing Israeli premier will seek assurances that Washington remains firm in its commitment to prevent Iran from going nuclear.
There is increasing concern in Israel that international efforts to stop Iran's nuclear programme are ineffective and that Tehran is pressing ahead with nuclear development.
Last week the International Atomic Energy Agency reported that Iran was continuing its nuclear enrichment activities and had set up 6,000 centrifuges.
The Iranian government has persistently refused to stop its nuclear activities, saying the programme is civilian in nature.
Israel's former defence minister, Moshe Ya'alon, said last week that Iran was one or two years away from producing nuclear weapons and Israel did have a military option.
Similar sentiments were expressed by the head of the Israeli airforce, Maj Gen Ido Nehushtan, who told German magazine Der Spiegellast week that the Israeli military was preparing for a military strike and "all options are on the table".
Although Iranian nuclear facilities are spread around the country, with some underground, Maj Gen Nehushtan said the airforce was ready to do whatever was demanded of it, downplaying technical or logistical difficulties.
The US military recently installed an advanced radar system in Israel. The device, which could help Israel to intercept incoming ballistic missiles from Iran, is due to become operational next month.
The Israeli national security council report also addressed the Palestinian question, warning that the Palestinian Authority may disintegrate after the term of moderate president Mahmoud Abbas expires in January.
This danger, coupled with the possibility of a victory for the Islamic Hamas if elections are held, prompted the council to recommend that Israel work to prevent new Palestinian elections, even at the risk of provoking a confrontation with the US and the international community.
Mr Abbas announced yesterday that he would call elections in early 2009 if unity talks did not begin between his Fatah faction and Hamas.