Israel 'ready to defend itself'
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon today said the threat of an Iraqi attack his country was low, but stressed Israel had the support of American troops and would be “ready and prepared” to defend itself.
A day earlier, Defence Minister Shaul Mofaz said outright that Israel would retaliate if attacked – unlike during the 1991 Gulf War.
“Israel will know how to defend itself,” Sharon said, speaking during a tour in northern Israel.
“We are not alone on the front. The Americans have made great efforts and are making great efforts to prevent a possibility of a strike against Israel, but if Israel will be hit we will know what to do.”
In 1991, Iraq fired 39 Scud missiles at Israel, causing heavy damage but few casualties. During the first Gulf War the United States pressed Israel not to retaliate, fearing that could pull apart the coalition it set up to fight Baghdad which included many Arab states hostile to Israel.
This time, however, President George W. Bush – unlike his father who led the 1991 Gulf War – is not relying on Arab support to achieve his stated goal of disarming and ousting Saddam, and Israel has made clear it will not sit idle if it is again attacked.
“I don’t think there is any other Western country ... that has organised, equipped itself and has taken such steps that we have taken,” Sharon said, but added: “I think that there is a great possibility that it will not be hit.”
Unlike in 1991, Israel now has the Arrow anti-missile system, which was developed jointly with the United States, was successfully tested, and is touted as able to destroy any Scuds far away from Israel’s airspace.
“In the event that Israel will be attacked, it will retaliate. There are also plans ready for such an incident,” Mofaz said on Saturday.
Asked if that meant a possible offensive beyond firing the Arrow at the Scuds, Mofaz said: “This includes offensive acts. Unequivocally yes.”
