Confronting Iran

I think there is too much focus on Iran. The best focus we should have is how Iran and Israel can be friend. 2 communities , with power, intelligence and capacity. I dont think a confrontation will bring any value to anyone. The two countries are just too strong and most certainly hqve both the atomic bomb. Fibding a way to respect and tilerate each other is the way to go for the benefits if both parties and the world.

Pray and keep our powder dry !

Another reason to be hopeful is that Iran's closest alley - Assad - doesn't have much time left. Action is at hand.

When I read from the Torah and the Talmud I often find that there is a lot of wisdom that I can apply to a better understanding to my life. I hear Jewish religious teachers saying some really interesting things that I find really interesting. Then I get hit with a reality that I don't find that common with a lot of other religious teachers - I find that there are Jewish religious teachers that often promote war against Iran. I can understand this kind of talk coming from Military leaders, but it kind of draws me back when I hear religious teachers talking and writing this way. I know that Ahmadinejad is a scary figure, and that he says some horrible things and makes threats frequently, but what about the rest of the Iranian people? Ahmadinejad is only one man, and although there are Iranians who may share his view I am sure that there are plenty of Iranians who don't want problems with Israel. Eventually Ahmadinejad will need to be pressured through inner political pressure and social change to leave office, but if Israel attacks on the presumption that they may have Nuclear weapons, and it turns out to be a lie then this is the type of military act will not only strengthen support from Iranians to the Ahmadinejad regime (many of whom may actually oppose him), and prove to the rest of the Middle East that Israel is a grave threat. You attack Iran and you will not prevent a dangerous prophecy from occurring - instead you will be making it happen. Be patient in take heed in what I tell you for I am not just another person giving an opinion - I am the "one"

When Ahmadinejad says repeatedly that he is going to wipe Israel off the map, and the like, how do you think he plans to achieve this, with a fire cracker? You don't just have to get your facts right, you have to use your brain too!

Bush has been the best friend of radical Islam; the movement has broadened and flourished because of his incompetence and actions.

In 2002, it would have made sense for the US to take out both Iraq and Iran. We had the muscle, motive (9/11) and few would have opposed us. The U.S.'s foolish policy of isolating Arafat (all those who liked the idea did we get someone better), antangonizing moderates, and making this a Christian v. Islam war has drastically diminished US influence. Today people would regard the US as a Christian war and organize Muslem countries in opposition.

Israel can take out Iran; I dont think people would mind. But Bush's completely foolish policy has made this a much tougher option for the US.

Hopey5000 cannot resist jumping on the"blame Bush" train. That train ride ended when Obama became the engineer. He took the reins and the responsibility. Looking back and blaming whether or not justified doesn't help us today. Start posting ideas for possible solutions instead. Got any?

When I hear someone say that the Holocaust never happened, my answer to them is - "No, it never happened to you."

Only those that suffered in the concentration camps know the truth and the pain they had to endure.

I believe that Iran is a real threat not just for Israel, but the world. Nuclear power in the hands of hateful people is a danger for all humanity. Don't they know that if they use nuclear weapons it will affect all of the lands and its inhabitants surrounding Israel? Including Iran.

The Iranian government must be blinded by hate. Why can't men live in peace with each other? This beautiful earth would again be a Garden of Eden, if instead of destruction there was construction and good will towards men.

There is darkness and light. Those in darkness cannot see. The devil is in the details and brings darkness.

Thank you for speaking out.

It´s A really truth. Israel must be forever, ever, always ready for fight to be alive. At least, until Muslim teocracy governments exist. The peace, may be very far, will happens when Democracy emergy at arabic countries.
A democracy is configure over foundations like logical sense, deep science, citizenship and great faith. That is the man psychology construction. I pry that these aspects grow at muslim countries. ESM, BRAZIL

Interestingly this article says "As soon as this Muslim country has acquired a nuclear weapon, the first bombs will be launched on Israel. And he has not ceased to repeat this threat."Yet Iran denies it is producing nuclear weapons and has been doing so repeatedly in the past.This begs the question is this really a quote from Ahmadinejad or a fabrication by the author of this article.If you are going to write about something at least be sure to get your facts straight.

this evil man must be taken out now.

I agree with what Mr. Wiesel writes, except I wouldn't call any action against Iran a "pre-emptive strike." To me, Iran has already initiated what amounts to a declaration of impending holocaust. Iran deserves our censure, UN expulsion, and military intervention. BUT...the world deserves NO nukes. A nuclear war would contaminate the entire planet and affect our children and generations to come, IF they survived. We have a duty to protect G-d's creation and all people on this planet, not just Israel.

(do not publish this)
Pleas forgive me for sending you too many comments. I grew up in Iran and unfortunatley I know what is going to happen to all Jews all over the world. If Israel goes down, all Jews around the world will be in extreme danger. specially in England and France. I know many Jews will read your site. we cannot stop what is happening so Lets help them and ourselves get ready for whatever is happening, but still remembering whatever Hashem wants is for the best.I appreciate the spiritual uplifting that your site provides.

who suggest a nuclear strike on Iran, are some of them hoax entries? The end of World War II was only accelerated by what happened when Japan was already effectively cornered and knew defeat was inevitable.

Any pre-emptive nuclear attack on Iran would most probably not deter Iran or the Islamic world but set up an indefinite tit-for-tat in kind. You could not kill Iran's nuclear aims this way, only intensify them.

The Nazis' nuclear programme was only delayed by repeated sabotage by Norwegian insiders, buying time before Germany was overwhelmed by conventional firepower in a world war that was already taking place.

Take Iran's President's threat seriously, yes. Nuke anyone, No. We of planet Earth are all breathing the same air. Nuke Iran, directly, and you nuke me, indirectly.

As an aside in response to the "Purim" comment, the story of Purim is about women's rights, a queen who refused to be displayed as a bauble and a queen in waiting who spoke to the king about politics. Don't expect the Almighty to step in. Believing in such a power left Martin Buber claiming that the extermination of the 6 million Jews and millions of other people as the "eclipse of G-D." Believing may give someone courage and fortitude but expecting rescue from anything othe than human beings' efforts to find ways to peaceful coexistence is unrealistic. It's akin to BELIEVING that the world was created 6,000 years ago and ignoring all the science of fossils and the mounting evidence with rising technology of universe/ astronomical data.

I challenge those at the UN and those who can pick up pen and paper to write the UN with ideas. We need ideas to coax people with power over others to a conference table instead of working toward destruction of the Earth. Suicide is not an option for the sane.

I've heard unleard, young, leftists compare Bush with Ahmadinejad, and the war on Saddam Hussein with Ahmadinejad's future war with Israel. They don't see the good vs. evil. In Persia, once again, there is a Haman standing up against our Jewish people. But, once again, G-d will help us (if we only turn to Him) and there will be another Purim.

Visitor Nr. 11, I agree with every word you write. Because you are right!
I could not have said it better.

We need to call the Iranian Jewry home and then nuke Iran back to stone ages.That would teach em the lesson.Whoever tries to mess with our people will be messed up.The history is witness that those who seek destruction of Israel are destroyed.

The only reason Israel is not doing anything about so many threats from Iran is fear of death and destruction. The government dosn't want to accept there is a threat and a genocide is being planned against Israel and Jews all over the world. Once more Satanic forces are possessing millions around the world and they will try to do as Hitler did. They will follow Satan to death. The question is this: Do we want to fight to death or do we want to wait for death? A war is coming and we have to decide if we want to annihiliate our sworn enemies or be annihiliated. The enemies are millions and they are brainwashed to an extend that they are not capable of logical thinking or even feeling human emotions and love for other human beings. They are in the hands of Satan and will do as ordered like zombies. They do not have a mind of their own. They cannot be saved from their barbaric thoughts. Do we have enough faith to fight for what is right or do we want to stick to life and hope that life is still possible? We have no other choice but to learn from our enemies and train suicide bombers. One nuclear suicide bombing against Iran will save Israel and the world.

We cannot allow world opinion to stand in the way of our ability to terminate this threat to Israel. The only thing
Iran will understand is the same thing Japan understood after the USA decided to end the threat. The time is now , not after Iran sends the first pre-emtive nuke into Israel.
" Never again" Jewish motto. It is apparent that the world , in general does not care about us. One strike and Iran,Syria and Hezbolla will shake in their boots. Retaliation is not an
acceptable risk.

I very much agree with your views. It is a shame that despotic tyrants such as Hitler and Ahmadinejad provide us with so much evidence supporting their view that Western Democracy is incapable of serious resolve. I presume that we will eventually take this threat seriously - after we allow Iran to become strong enough to challange us with annihalation. And presuming that we have not become as morally bankrupt as France was during the Second World War. If your beliefs do not provide your reason for living you will certainly hold no values worth dying for. Slavery and Liberty work from the heart outward.

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran has, like Osama bin Laden, made very serious threats against America and the State of Israel. He has threatened to "wipe Israel off the map"; he has also threatened to send what he calls an army of 52,000 suicide bombers into America. These threats cannot be brushed aside as the ranting of a madman. That happened with Osama bin Laden, and America suffered the tragedy of 9/11 as a result of ignoring his threats.
Ahmadinejad believes he is on a mission from God to usher in the Twelfth Imam (the Mahdi) through an apocalyptic event. He believes at that time, all infidels will bow to Islam. He is testing America's resolve and tolerance for terror.
Similar threats were made by Hitler about 50 years ago and nobody took him seriously until holocaust happened.
The 1951 U.N. convention on the prevention and punishment of the crime of genocide specifically prohibits in Article Three, "the commission of genocide or incitement to commit the crime of genocide (Genocide; Conspiracy to commit genocide; Direct and public incitement to commit genocide; Attempt to commit genocide; Complicity in genocide.)" It's clear that Mr. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in several ocasions have violated this regulation without any reaction from the UN.

Although I completely agree with Wiesel and have been saying for years that Iran should be expelled from the UN, the UN is too weak and anti-Israel to take such an action. Before Iran can be punished for their Hitler-incarnated leader's threats, the UN leadership must grow a backbone and bring in people who are not anti-Israel oranti-Semitic.

it seems that the world will try and appease iran and its likeminded allies by restraining israel.if that fails the future may be that a war between israel and iran will cause the world to see what the reality looks like afterwards and decide from there what action to take re iran.a successful israeli operation will solve the problem . a failure will rouse the usa to consider other options. if israel is able with usa permission to act offensively, now seems to me like the time [before nukes are a factor].it appears that without the ok from the usa israel is unable to act or it would have already done so

While this tyrannical threat to destroy certainly requires to be addressed, perhaps more importantly the originating issues also need addressing. Seems odd that energy requirements, demands, and greed, are driving much of this dilemma. If alternatives to oil exist, then why have the nations of the world not converted over to these resources? Nuclear, and oil both are no longer needed to fuel economies. OPEC's global oil market extortion would become ineffective, further nuclear development would become obsolete. If the wealth was not flowing into these two cesspools, the tyrants would crumble. Every major conflict increases oil consumption, Question... Who benefits financially? Oil producers? Where does this revenue get spent? More weapons, war, and death? Benefits of alternative energy to the world environment include; reversing global warming, fewer carbon emissions, cleaner air, reduced health issues, etc... These technological and new developments have the potential to fulfill the energy needs in the most remote areas of the globe, which would result in the enhancement of food supplies and quality of life to the most vulnerable of people. Economic and responsibility issues seem to be the setbacks. All the solutions are present for those who take the time to see them. Taking into account the nature of history, if the current movements do not take a turn to this new direction of energy supply, the future of the earth and all of its inhabitants, appears to be bleak at best. The voices of the people must be heard. Those with the capabilities to effect the changes must act. This is a global issue! Time only waits for the foolish. It's not yet too late to thwart the destruction of many lives. Speak early and often. Perhaps the leaders will hear.

Dear Wiesel
I should thank for having taken open stand on Iran and I think world should not have a second thought on what you have suggested It shame for the world and UN in particular to be silent on every nonsensical but dangerous utterances of dictators like the Iranian president Any moment added to the tenure of such dictators means that task ahead is going to be harder and more dangerous Political acquity demands that we collectively act now but we should keep in mind that there is wider strategy behind Iran be persistantly adament and aggressive in its stand for as my strategical analisis tells it is not Iran along acting and we should also gauage the game plan of such group who are behind this strategy

I truly wish that what Mr Wiesel demands would happen but it will not.
There is coming a time in the very near furture when every nation, including the US, will throw Israel to the dogs. For what purpose - pure GREED.The only people left who will support and love Israel and all Jews will be the true Christians, through out the world who are led by G--.

I am always interested in stopping antisemitism...but somehow it keeps rearing its ugly head....

World powers use influence to pit one against another. I know you are right about what you say, but Russia and China among a few, don't see it your way.

The time has come for us to admit this black-hole of money-sucking theocratic, totalitarian tin-pot dictatorships is worthless and has long over-stayed its welcome. There is nothing positive coming out of the UN. They keep no-one safe, children are at risk of being raped and molested wherever their "peacekeepers" set their little blue helmets. Would the UN of 50 years ago allow Hitler to rail at the US while threatening to wipe out the Jews? More slaughter, genocide has been perpetrated against humanity with the high-handed, moral relativistic inaction/complicity of the UN: Cambodia, Rawanda- Bosnia- the gassing of the Kurds - Darfur. Did I leave someone out? The institution known as the United Nations is a fraud. Its name should be "UNAI" - United Nations against Israel.

Professor Wiesel makes an excellent point regarding the threat of Iran's President Ahmadinejad to Israel and the world. It is real; it is dire; and we are not taking it seriously. A cursory review of recent letters to the editor of a major metropolitan newspaper (Chicago Tribune) reveals a focus on two subjects: the name change of a local department store; and wishing people "Happy Holidays" vs. "Merry Christmas" at this time of year. People do not have Iran on their minds. That's understandable, but the consequences of ignoring Iran are too horrible to allow. The world must take action now.

hi,
I strongly feel President Ahmadinejad means what he say that he wants to wipe out Israel. He is encouraging terrorism in Iraq, Afganistan, Lebonon, Gaza and now Israel. How much does he have to do in order to be stopped.
If Iran aquires the bamb, then I am afraid, that this will not only go agaist Israel, but will trgger a 'Third Word War'. Therefore the rest of the World better watch out before it is too late. Iran must be stopped now before it is too late. It is not good enough to then say 'I have told you so'. Russia, China, UN, US and EU MUST work togather to avert a catastrophic desaster which is looming in the very near future.
Regards,
don't-say-I-have-never-told-you-so.

This guy is for real this more than likely is the end of the world .atomic bombs will be dropped on Israel but won't destroy the apple of God's eye. The US will no longer be around , But those of us who are believers will see all that goes on from the balcony of heaven.