6 November 2011

Following recent news stories stating that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak are considering a military attack on Iran, Israeli disarmament activists decided to demonstrate in front of the Ministry of Defense, calling on them to "stop the madness, before it is too late".

The vigils took place in front of the Ministry of Defense offices in Haifa and Tel Aviv on Sunday 6 November. The Haifa vigil had about 20 activists and the one in Tel Aviv had over 100 activists.

Former member of parliament Mossi Raz says that the Israeli public should apply pressure on the government not to attack Iran. Attacking Iran might jeopardize the very existence of the state of Israel. The Iranian nuclear program should be dealt with diplomatically, Raz said.

Sharon Dolev, the Israeli Disarmament Director, said: “Of course the Iranian nuclear capability is frightening, but even the heads of Israel’s defense establishment are convinced that it is not possible to eliminate the Iranian nuclear program through military means. The only way to deal with the Iranian nuclear threat is through an open and honest dialogue.”

“A few weeks ago it was decided that Finland would host and facilitate the conference on the establishment of a Middle East zone free of all weapons of mass destruction. This is a real and reasonable opportunity to halt the Iranian nuclear program – much more reasonable than a military attack, which would be destructive for Israel.”

“The only real response to the nuclear threat – which endangers not only Israel but the entire world – is to negotiate a treaty to ban and eliminate nuclear weapons.”

For more information:

Sharon Dolev
Israeli Disarmament movement and ICAN in Israel
Sharon.dolev@gmail.com
+972.528.480.543