RAMALLAH: Israeli Interior Minister Meir Sheetrit said that Israel must not attack Iran, but only defend itself if attacked.
The Israeli daily Haaretz quoted Sheetrit as saying that “Israel must on no account attack Iran, speak of attacking Iran or even think about it,” Sheetrit said. “Israel must defend itself only if attacked by Iran, but attacking Iran on our own initiative is a megalomaniacal reckless idea.”
Sheetrit kicked off his campaign for Kadima party’s primary on Tuesday by blasting his main rivals, whom he accused of inexperience. Sheetrit will square off against front-runner Tzipi Livni, Shaul Mofaz, and Avi Dichter for the Kadima leadership in September. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has reportedly said in private conversations that Sheetrit is his preferred choice to lead Kadima and the government, a leak that angered the four candidates’ campaign staffs. Sources close to the prime minister said that Olmert saw in Sheetrit political experience and professionalism stemming from the latter’s days as mayor and as a minister in a number of different capacities.
