DAILY MAIL COMMENT: Israel's enemies are Britain's enemies
Having sown the wind, Iran is reaping the whirlwind. A day after the International Atomic Energy Agency warned that the rogue state has enough enriched uranium to make nine nuclear bombs, Israel struck at the head of its military command and the heart of its weapons programme.
In a stunning series of air strikes, its forces attacked nuclear facilities and missile sites. They also took out three of Iran's most senior security chiefs and several of its top atomic scientists.
It was swift and it was surgical – a triumph of intelligence and planning, as well as sheer military power. And it is far from over. The Israeli Defence Forces made it clear yesterday there was nothing they will not do to prevent Tehran developing the bomb.
And who can blame them? Iran is dedicated to Israel's destruction. Over many decades it has backed the Jewish state's sworn enemies, from Hezbollah to Hamas. Supreme Leader the Ayatollah Khomeini believes there can be no Middle East solution without 'the annihilation of the Zionist state'. This is hardly the basis for measured negotiation.
We should not forget either that Tehran's mullahs also loathe Western liberal values and scorn democracy, so if they managed to acquire nuclear weapons, the whole world would be at risk. In that regard, Israel's enemy is our enemy.
No one wants to see an escalation in hostilities in this already benighted region, but Israel believes it has no option but to act pre-emptively. We should acknowledge and support it in that.
This is a people who suffered the Holocaust. Why should they stand idly by while a new generation of anti-Semites plots their extermination?
And what is our own great leader Sir Keir Starmer's response to this unfolding crisis? As usual, a load of flannel – calling for calm… engaging partners to de-escalate … committed to diplomacy.
The Israeli Defence Forces made it clear yesterday there was nothing they will not do to prevent Tehran developing the bomb
Isn't it a bit late for that? Hostilities are well under way. So, whose side is he on?
Does he back an oppressive theocracy that hates the West, spies on Britain and has had a malign hand in every Middle Eastern conflict of the modern era, or a parliamentary democracy engaged in a fight for survival?
Having professed 'ironclad' support for Israel immediately after the October 7 massacre when still in opposition, he and his ministers have been rowing back ever since – not least because many Labour MPs and voters are rabidly anti-Zionist.
The Government has scaled back arms supplies, criticised operations in Gaza and Israeli politicians, and there are signs Sir Keir is about to recognise Palestine as a state. The Left constantly bangs on about a 'two-state solution' but how would it be achieved?
Who would draw the boundaries? Israel rightly sees the UN as a bad actor in this drama and will not be bound by its prejudices. And it certainly wouldn't co-operate with the international courts, which it views as similarly pro-Palestinian.
Who would live where? And how could the two states live in harmony when one is committed to the obliteration of the other? Hamas and Iran don't want a two-state solution for the Holy Land, they want a one-state solution – without Jews.
Sir Keir fancies himself as a statesman as he parades around the world gladhanding leaders and looking earnest. But statesmanship is more than photo-opportunities. It sometimes requires hard choices. When it comes to choosing between backing Iran or Israel, there should be no hesitation.
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South Wales Argus
21 minutes ago
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26 minutes ago
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