That said, Grass' idea that Israel might "wipe out" the Iranian people in a preventive "first strike" is wildly exaggerated.
I have already stated several times that all the Israeli and American blabbering about an Israeli attack on Iran is a part of the US-led psychological warfare to press the Iranian leaders to give up their (presumed) nuclear ambitions. It is totally impossible for Israel to attack Iran without express prior American agreement, and it is totally impossible for America to attack -- or let Israel attack -- because of the catastrophic consequences -- a collapse of the world economy and a long and costly war.
Let's assume, for argument's sake, that the Israeli government indeed decides to attack Iran's nuclear installations. This would not "wipe out" the Iranian people, or even a part of it. Only madmen would use nuclear bombs for this purpose. Israeli leaders, whatever one may think of them, are not mad.
Even if Israel had (or obtained from the US) tactical nuclear bombs with limited power and radius, the world reaction to their use would be catastrophic.
By the way, it is not by their own choice that Israeli governments have a policy of nuclear non-transparency. If they could, our leaders would brag about our nuclear might from the rooftops. It's the US that insists on opaqueness, so as not to be obliged to do something about it.
Grass' contention that Israel endangers "world peace" is, therefore, a bit of an overstatement.
As for Glass' practical proposal to subject both Israeli and Iranian nuclear installations to international inspection -- I think this merits serious consideration. If both our countries freeze the nuclear status quo, it may not be a bad idea at all.
In the end, though, we need a nuclear-free region as part of a general regional peace that will include Israel, Palestine, the Arab League, Turkey and Iran.
AS FOR Gunter Grass, I shall be happy to meet him again, this time for a good meal in Tel Aviv.
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