Netanyahu -- man behind the curtain
On July 18, 2012, an attack on an Israeli tourist bus in Bulgaria took the lives of five Israeli nationals, a Bulgarian, and the mysterious suicide bomber. It is reported that the suspect, a young Caucasian, had a fake Michigan driver's license. According to Israeli Haaretz, a top Bulgarian official warned that it would be a "mistake" to blame a specific country or organization for the attack. However, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had other ideas.
Quick to point the finger at Iran, Mr. Netanyahu called it an "Iranian terror network spreading throughout the world." He added: "Exactly 18 years after the attack on a Jewish community center in Argentina, the Iranian terror continues to hurt innocent people." Apparently, it takes a village and some to set Iran up.
These serious allegations with a potential for disaster, demand scrutiny on several levels. The most fundamental question which needs to be addressed is who benefits from these attacks. One must question the location -- location, location, location. And finally, analyze the empirical data.
Who Benefits?
In spite of Israel and its Washington lobbies pushing for a war against Iran, of late, prominent voices have adopted a less bellicose stance towards Iran and its nuclear program. The possibility of any military action against Iran which would undoubtedly lead to a closure of the world's most important oil chokepoint, the Strait of Hormuz, has prompted politicians around the globe to opt for a diplomatic solution to end the impasse with Iran.
Somewhat optimistically, Iran is investing its efforts in diplomacy. While continuing to work towards a mutually acceptable solution with the P5+1, Iran is making extensive preparations for the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) summit it will be hosting in Tehran in August. Over the past three centuries, Iran has never initiated a war and it would seem unlikely that at this juncture Tehran would resort to terrorism and solicit condemnation and possibly war. On the other hand, the targeting and killing of Israeli citizens by Iran would serve to support and justify Netanyahu's call for military action against Iran.
For Netanyahu, domestic dissatisfaction aside, Israel's policy of settlement expansion, a policy which government appointed jurists called legal, has brought international condemnation. With the moderate Kadima party pulling out of government, leaving Netanyahu in charge of a hard-line coalition opposed to Middle East peace, Israel needs support from its allies more than ever. Undoubtedly, Israel would have greater support as a victim instead of an aggressor.
Location, Location, Location
In addition to the Bulgaria attack, Mr. Netanyahu has blamed Iran for attacks in other countries, including the apparent foiled attack in Cyprus and the accusations leveled against Iran for plotting an attack in Kenya.
Bulgaria -- Bulgaria and Israel have very cordial relations. In July 2011, an Israeli-Bulgarian declaration pledged wide range cooperation. A year later, on July 8, 2012, Bulgaria's former foreign minister Solomon Passy told The Times of Israel that Israel should aggressively seek to join NATO and the EU. Passy said: "Israel is part of Western civilization and of the Euro-Atlantic political culture and that's why Israel shouldn't be shy to vocally say that it wants to become a member of NATO, the EU and OSCE [Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe]." Ten days later, an attack against Israel took place in Bulgaria.
Thailand -- Thailand and Israel have had cordial relations with moderate and steady trade. In January 2012, Thailand recognized Palestine as an independent state. A month later, Israel blamed Iran for "terrorist attacks" in Bangkok. Allegedly, one of the perpetrators had carried his "Iranian" passport on him to carry out the mission.
India -- India and Israel have had very amicable relations. On July 17, 2003, JINSA's executive director delivered a speech in Washington to the US-India Political Action Committee International Conference on Terrorism in India in which he put Israel, the United States, and India in the same boat -- as number one on the terrorist hit list (Bonney 2008). In 2008, India launched Israel's spy satellite into orbit. In spite of its close ties to Israel, India has not stopped trade with Iran. In fact, two days prior to the Israeli embassy staff in India were targeted on February 13, 2012, India defended its oil trade with Iran.
Georgia -- Israel's relations with Georgia are unique. It was widely reported in 2008 that Israel had the green light to attack Iran from Georgian territory. Israel is thought to have played a prominent role in the Russian-Georgian conflict (see link for full details of the relationship. In 2010, Georgia and Iran entered a new phase in their relationship and Nino Kalandadze, the Georgian deputy foreign minister expressed that "ties will further deepen." As with India, Iran was blamed for the bomb attempts in Georgia.
Given the nature of Israel's relations with these countries, one cannot definitively conclude why these countries were picked by the perpetrators of these crimes. Perhaps these Israeli allies are not safe for Israelis -- or they are safe for false-flag operations.
Empirical Data
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Soraya has lived and studied in-Iran, UK, France, and has obtained her Master's degree in Public Diplomacy from USC Annenberg and USC School for International Studies, Los Angeles.- She is an independent researcher, public speaker, radio (more...)
