Netanyahu compares Iran to Timothy McVeigh

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem, Sept. 9, 2012. / AP Photo

(AP) WASHINGTON - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a direct appeal to American voters on Sunday to elect a president willing to draw a "red line" with Iran, comparing Tehran's nuclear program to Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh and reminding Americans of the devastating repercussions of failed intelligence.

His remarks were an impassioned election-season plea from a world leader who insists he doesn't want to insert himself into U.S. politics and hasn't endorsed either candidate. But visibly frustrated by U.S. policy under President Barack Obama, the hawkish Israeli leader took advantage of the week's focus on unrest across the Muslim world and America's time-honored tradition of the Sunday television talk shows to appeal to Americans headed to the polls in less than two months.

Tehran claims its nuclear program is peaceful. Netanyahu said the U.S. would be foolish to believe that, using football metaphors and citing example of past terrorist attacks on U.S. soil to appeal to his American audience.

"It's like Timothy McVeigh walking into a shop in Oklahoma City and saying, `I'd like to tend my garden. I'd like to buy some fertilizer ... Come on. We know that they're working on a weapon,"' Netanyahu said.

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The past week, Netanyahu has called on Obama and other world leaders to state clearly at what point Iran would face a military attack. But Obama and his top aides, who repeatedly say all options remain on the table, have pointed to shared U.S.-Israeli intelligence that suggests Iran hasn't decided yet whether to build a bomb despite pursing the technology and that there would be time for action beyond toughened sanctions already in place.

Netanyahu disagrees, estimating that Iran is about six months away from having most of the enriched uranium it needs and warning that letting them reach the "goal line" would have disastrous consequences.

Obama's Republican opponent, Mitt Romney, has said he is willing to take a tougher stance than Obama against Iran, although his campaign has declined to provide specifics. He has also aligned himself personally with Netanyahu, casting the Israeli leader as a longtime friend.

Meanwhile, Obama is reported to have a strained relationship with Netanyahu, chastising Israel for continuing to build housing settlements in areas disputed with the Palestinians.

America's ambassador to the United Nations, Susan Rice, responded Sunday by saying there is "no daylight" between the U.S. and Israel and that Obama "will do what it takes" to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. But, she told CNN, "we are not at that stage yet."

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[cbs_tom]

There are more than 65 attacks on consulits and embessies at this time. Iran is possibly months from having the capability to configure a nuclear device. The muslims, by their own koran, see all non-muslims as inferior. Israel is our only ally and friend in the middle east and we should not turn away in time of perril.

[JGavin8732]

Never forget that Netanyahu performed nuclear terrorism against the US. Under project Pinto along with A. Milchan and R. Smyth they stole 800 krytons or nuclear triggers. Under the great american jewish Terrorist J. Pollard stole over 1800 documents and gave them to Israel ending up in russian and chinese hands. Caspar WEINberger was appalled at this traitorous acts by an ALLY.Contrary to the Israeli lobby generals and intelligence agents have come out to stop his release due to the severe nature of his crimes.Read the 1993 CIA report about this act of nuclear terrorism against the US.
Israel has never signed the nuclear nonproliferation act. I believe it is so they can be reprehensible and arm out enemies.They offered nuclear weapons to the aparheid state of South Africa under Shimon Peres.
Today is the 30 yr. anniversary of the jewish holocaust on the people of Sabar and Chatila. 35oo palestinian men, women and children murder by IDF forces and their allies.Today a single stone marks this mass grave.The United Nations declared this to be an act of genocide.In 1947 the palestinians owned 92% of the land. Now although 20% of the population they own 3.5%. Under the ILA they buy up land and through bigotry and special conditions limit palestiians.
The only nuclear terrorist is Israel. The arabs have no choice but to arm themselves as under victimhood and security Israel continues to rob them of their land.
BRING OUR SONS HOME
KEEP POLLARD IN JAIL
LOCK UP THE NUCLEAR TERRORIST NETANYAHU.

[bigtiny99]

this venal duplicitous snake bibi should shut his mouth and attack if he feels so strongly about it. the reason pres. obama does not deal with bibi is because he is a liar. here is yet another war for the sake of israel that neo-cons desire

[imnho]

The Isreali Prime Minster should stay out of the American electorial process. I get the feeling that if he got anything near a nod of approval than Isreal would attack Iran. That would not be in Isreal or the United States best interst at this time. Our miltary has been streched very thin buy its present commitments and needs to refrain from taking on unecessary wars.

If Mr. Netanyahu wants to start an uneeded war, then let him fight it with his resources. Expecting America to fight the war he wants and isreal and America don't need is frighting

[williampoiri]

Israel violates human rights daily....Palestinian natives are persecuted....killed.. everyday and more and more of their lands are
stolen so where is Israel on human rights ,,,,no where,,,they have atomic bombs,,,but refuses to admit that they do have them....If this
Mr Dick Chaney Netanyahu want war by all means go we have give aid for years,,,and they have stolen much ....remember Pollard who gave Israel secrets...what kind of Ally does that????If Israel wants war go to it ,,,,we need to consider if we give them free stuff or sell it...I say give us GOLD/Cash and we can sell you every thing you need to go to war with,,,,abd if American Jews want to emigrate let them go to join their fellow Jews in a war for Israel survival,,,but my son will not go.....HELL NO MY SON WILL NOT GO!

[YourRearViewMirror1]

Folks,

WE THE PEOPLE, please listen to your MASTER Israel.

[pr_boxer]

We do not need Netanyahu making US foreign policy. Remember his statements are strictly self serving. He'd like to have US troops do the bleeding while he takes the credit.

[sjc_1]

Bibi, we understand your urgency, you don't have to run around with your hair on fire, we get it! We also get that it is an election year in the U.S. and you are bringing this up to make it an issue, we get that too.

[facelessdrone2005]

All Netanyahu's examples concern attacks on the U.S. Well, Iran is not a threat to the U.S., it's a threat to Israel. Israel is not the 51st state!

[sweetcakesmaria]

Israel has a strong fully equipped military with most of the sophiscated hardware purchased from America. They have nearly eight million people from which to select a strong fighting force. There is speculation that they possess an untold number of nuclear bombs. They seem to have everything that's needed to defend themselves. Amazingly Israel was pushing for this attack on Iran's nuclear facilities years ago when George Bush was President. It would appear that they will go to no end to involve us in another useless war when it would appear that if they were really concerned about Iran acquiring the bomb, they themselves would have take action militarily by now. It has been documented that this country has given them the green light to strike if they feel threatened so what are they waiting for. If they really felt threatened by Iran acquiring a nuclear bomb, it would appear that they would have taken military action by now. They easily manipulated us into a war with Iraq which we later determined was based on manufactured intelligence and false claims which we fully bought into. We are now hearing the same war cry from Israel again in which they want us to commit to a war with Iran based on their terms, not ours.

[jgnv]

Your comments are very thoughtful and insightful. I get so upset every time I see Senator John McCain on a news program attempting to "rally the troops". I honestly don't think most Americans want to see our country get involved in any more wars on foreign soil.

[nQQn]

Sweetcake, Israel does not purchase anything from America. They get it for free as military aid in addition to the other billions in aid.

[saber72]

You need to look no further than Sheldon Adelson, comes from a Jewish family, he is worth 25 billion... Romney bankroller and owner of the the Israeli daily newspaper Israel HaYom.