Dichter: NIE proves that Israel failed

Washington's stance on the Iranian nuclear threat in the wake of the National Intelligence Estimate will lead to a "regional Yom Kippur," in which other states besides Israel will be seriously threatened, Public Security Minister Avi Dichter said Saturday.

Public Security Minister Avi Dichter.
Photo: AP

"The softened intelligence report proves that Israel failed to provide the Americans with the whole picture concerning the Iranian nuclear threat," Dichter said during a speech at a 'Cultural Shabbat' event in Holon.

Nevertheless, the public security minister went on to say the US was a "powerful country" that conducts its affairs in a "logical manner" and, therefore, if Israel manages to convince it that Iran has not stopped its nuclear weapons program, this will have a major influence on the Americans.

He said the report does not reflect the severity of the Iranian threat and urged Israel and other countries to supply the US with new information and intelligence assessments.

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Regarding the Palestinians, Dichter warned that retired US general James Jones, who heads the mechanism to judge the implementation of road map obligations, is likely to get an inaccurate picture and that there were no guarantees he would not make a serious error of judgment regarding the Palestinians' commitments.

"Israel cannot allow a situation in which Hamas conducts a war of attrition from Gaza, while Israel is simultaneously holding negotiations with the Palestinians," said the public security minister.

Dichter stressed the need for the Palestinians to establish "real and operational" law enforcement, legislative and judicial systems.

On the issue of Jerusalem, he said there should be no argument about the fact that the Old City and the Temple Mount are part of Israel.

Concerning a possible peace deal with Syria, Dichter conceded that there could be no agreement without Israel withdrawing from the Golan and that the question was what guarantees Israel would receive in return.