Israel should use force to stop Iran from from obtaining nuclear weapons, Meir Amit, a former director of Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency, advocated in an exclusive interview with WorldNetDaily. The comments from Amit, one of the most esteemed figures in the Israeli intelligence establishment, are particularly strong since until now he has refused to support an attack against Iran.
“I am in favor of using the power of force against Iran because if we let things go as they are we will find ourselves in a very dangerous situation,” Amit said. “We have good intelligence and we shall decide what is the right timing for any attack.”
Asked about media speculation and statements from officials and former officials that the best window of opportunity for Israel to attack Iran is before President Bush leaves office in January, Amit responded that U.S. politics should not be a consideration.
He also said Israel should not regard the pro-dialogue policies of presidential candidate Barack Obama in its decision on whether or when to attack Iran.
“I suggest we cannot take Obama as a point to influence our activities. We have to control our own activities and decide the right timing,” he said.
Pressed on the issue of media reports quoting anonymous Israeli and American officials speaking about the timing of an Israeli strike, Amit replied:
“When you decide to attack someone, you don’t let that person or country know anything about the timing in advance. You do it at the right moment without any initial warning or announcement.”
The former Mossad chief told WorldNetDaily he was not particularly concerned about Iranian threats of massive retaliation in the event of an Israeli strike.
“I am not impressed by Iran’s threats. We have to do what we think should be done and obviously plan for consequences. All my life I decided on the spot what to do according to the existing situation,” he said.
Amit, in his mid-80’s, was Mossad director from 1963 to 1968, during which time he was credited with orchestrating some of the most notorious Mossad operations such as running Israeli spy Eli Cohen who penetrated top levels of the Syrian government and the hijacking of an advance fighter plane from Iraq.
