Timing is key to Israel’s responsepublished at 18:35 British Summer Time 15 April
Frank Gardner
Security correspondent
Israel’s war cabinet will have
been debating two key questions in response to Iran’s missile attacks at the
weekend: how to respond and when.
Because the timing here matters.
There are those like Benny Gantz, the former military chief, who have called
for a firm and immediate response, just as Israel did within hours of the 7 October attack by Hamas.
Their argument is that Israel needs to show
strength and react now while the world’s memory of Iran’s barrage of missiles
is still fresh.
The other side of the argument is that, partly in order to keep
Israel’s international allies onside, it needs to listen to their calls for
restraint and hold off, at least for now, while tensions are so high.
There are
profound fears in the region, even among governments that dislike Iran, that
an Israeli attack now on the Islamic Republic will inflame those tensions and
prompt further retaliation by Iran leading to a dangerous escalation that could
even drag in the US.
Those arguing for restraint by Israel point out that,
despite the undoubted threat posed by Iran’s missiles and drones, when it comes
to casualties nobody died in that attack.
By contrast, the presumed Israeli air
strike on Iran’s Consulate building in Damascus on 1 April killed 13 people,
including two top generals. Hence the advice given to Israel by President
Biden: “Take the win.”
