The advent of Bibi Netanyahu's government Wednesday brought with it increased speculation of an Israeli attack against Iran. Here's what Aluf Benn, a columnist for the Israeli newspaper Ha'aretz wrote:
In political circles the view is that yes, Netanyahu as prime minister brings Israel closer to war with Iran. Politicians in touch with Netanyahu say he has already made up his mind to destroy Iran's nuclear installations. People close to him wonder how the public would receive a joint decision by Netanyahu and Ehud Barak to attack Iran, and whether the move would boost the two men's popularity. The basic assumption is that diplomacy and sanctions will not gain a thing, and the only way to stop Iran's nuclear program will be by force, which only Israel is motivated to apply.
This is also the assessment of the international media, who consider an Israeli strike against Iran a near certainty. European governments are practicing evacuating their citizens from Iran in case a "third party" strikes the nuclear installations. Israel's veiled threats "that no option should be lifted from the table," which were meant to push the international community to intensify pressure and sanctions on Iran to prevent war, have had the opposite effect. The international community has become convinced that Israel will act on its own, so it does not need to do a thing. (Will Netanyahu Attack Iran?)
One commentator believes this might well explain why Netanyahu formed his current coalition with 30 cabinet members, seven deputy ministers and key government portfolios to other parties.
Also on Wednesday, General David Petraeus told the Senate Armed Services Committee that he believes Israel may launch a preemptive strike against Iran's nuclear facilities. Petraeus, the top US commander in the Middle East, said "The Israeli government may ultimately see itself so threatened by the prospect of an Iranian nuclear weapon that it would take preemptive military action to derail or delay it."
Furthermore, Netanyahu gave an interview to The Atlantic shortly before his government was sworn in. He stated the following:
You don't want a messianic apocalyptic cult controlling atomic bombs. When the wide-eyed believer gets hold of the reins of power and the weapons of mass death, then the entire world should start worrying, and that is what is happening in Iran...Since the dawn of the nuclear age we have not had a fanatic regime that might put its zealotry above its self-interest…People say that they'll behave like any other nuclear power. Can you take the risk? Can you assume that?
These could all be signals Israel may do what the world will not.