Livni: The world must take action against Iran

‘This isn’t a political issue inside Israel, all sides must unite to bring a strong international reaction; Mofaz calls to ‘paralyze’ Iranian economy.

By LAHAV HARKOV
MK Tzipi Livni on the BBC (photo credit: Courtesy of Kadima Party)
MK Tzipi Livni on the BBC
(photo credit: Courtesy of Kadima Party)
Opposition leader Tzipi Livni increased efforts to convince the international community to take action against Iran, speaking to nine different foreign media outlets on Tuesday about an issue she called “not political.”
“Today, the whole world faces an important test: Will they understand that Iran is a threat that must be taken care of?” Livni said to The Jerusalem Post.
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The Kadima leader explained that Iran is not a political issue.
“This is not something that a particular prime minister is advocating,” she said. “This isn’t an effort for just one side.
We must try to bring a strong international decision.”
Livni’s campaign followed the release of an IAEA report that says Iran is building parts for nuclear weapons, and is focusing specifically on Russia and China, in hopes of convincing the two key countries to intensify their opposition to Tehran in the UN Security Council.
“The report revealed a truth that Israel has been saying for years: Iran is in a nuclear-arms race, and Iran must be stopped,” she said in interviews with Russian national television and radio, as well as China’s official news agency.
“Until now, China and Russia avoided dramatic sanctions for economic reasons,” Livni explained to the Post. “In the past, I tried to convince them, but the answer I received is that there is no proof. Now there is proof that this isn’t a Zionist plot.”
As far as China’s claim that the IAEA report doesn’t offer sufficient proof to act against Iran, Livni said “whoever is looking for an excuse can find it, but this is a serious report.
They can’t argue with it.”
In interviews with Chinese and Russian media, as well as the BBC, AP, Reuters, CNN, Moscow Television and Sky News, Livni explained that “Tehran’s behavior is a problem for the entire free world. It is time to act.”
“Iran is not only an Israeli problem; it never was. It is a problem for the whole world, and if Teheran will reach its goals, the whole world will pay the price,” she said. “World leaders must work together and take action.
“Make the obvious conclusions from this report. You cannot claim that you don’t have enough information. Iran must be stopped. The time to act is now. There is no longer a dilemma on this issue.”
Earlier Wednesday, Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee Chairman Shaul Mofaz (Kadima) called the IAEA report “an opportunity for the free world to take action.”
Speaking from the US, Mofaz told Army Radio that he thinks “the time has come to intensify sanctions and paralyze the Iranian economy.”
“The report exposed the true face of Iran and its intentions,” the Kadima MK said. “Anyone who thinks he’s immune [to the Iranian threat] is making a mistake.”
Mofaz, who was born in Tehran and moved to Israel at age nine, explained that Iran’s missile range could reach most European capitals, and will bring “a balance of terror in the Middle East.”
He contended that “military action of any kind – particularly from Israel – is the last and worst course of action at this time, but all options must be on the table and ready. We will not accept a nuclear Iran.”
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Iranian threat