Iran

As a documented state sponsor of terrorism for years, Iran has long-been on the radar of the Israeli security services and government officials as a threat to the security of the State. However, the election of conservative President Mahmud Ahmadinejad in August of 2005 and Iran's continued insistence on pursuing nuclear capabilities has brought Iran to the fore of Israeli and international consciousness as an existential threat to Israel's existence and world peace.

Ahmadinejad's virulent anti-Semitism and continued public statements denying the Holocaust and calling for Israel 'to be wiped off the Earth' are cause for concern by themselves.

However, when coupled with the continued pursuit of nuclear technology Iran has shot to the top of Israeli security concerns. In addition, with the rise of Hamas and Tehran's pledge to financially support the newly elected government of the PA the fear non-conventional weapons falling into the hands of terrorists in the West Bank and Gaza is a real fear among the Israel's security officials.

To date, Israel has been satisfied to allow international diplomacy led by the US, Englan, Germany, France, Russia and the UN. The situation has been sent to the UN Security Council, but both Russia and China have threatened to use their veto rights to stop any harsh sanctions from taking effect. It is clear that the diplomatic path may not bear fruit, forcing the world to forcefully address the issue through military attack. Israel would obviously prefer to allow the US, NATO or the UN deal directly with this issue, but reports have started to surface that the IDF has been preparing plans if the world fails to deal with what Israeli security views as an existential threat to Israel security and future existence. Not surprisingly, all Israeli parties (save the Arab parties which have been fairly quiet on the subject) are adamant that Iran not be allowed to take the final necessary steps towards nuclear power. Israel diplomats are actively lobbying world leaders to deal strongly and with real determination to ensure that the Iranian threat does not come to fruition.