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He stopped short of reproaching Netanyahu. He understands Iran's position. He supports resolving differences diplomatically. He calls his views "complex," saying:
"I do indeed argue that a nuclear Iran does not constitute an existential threat to Israel. If one day we wake up and discover that Iran has nuclear weapons, that does not mean the start of the countdown to the end of Israel's existence. Israel need not despair.""We have deterrent capability and preventive capability. If Iran acquires nuclear weapons, Israel will be able to design a true operational response that will be able to cope with that."
"I am absolutely appalled when I hear our leaders talking as though there were no Israel Defense Forces and as though there were no State of Israel and as though Auschwitz is liable to be repeated."
Iran is no existential threat, he stressed. Force is an unacceptable option. "Going to war is an absolute and irreversible act that entails high costs." A possible generational war could follow, he believes. Preventing it should be prioritized.
Halevy stopped short of saying attacking Iran would be disastrous. However, his comments strongly suggested it. He urges all possible options for peace, not war.
"It's always worth remembering," he said, "that the greatest victory in war is the victory that is achieved without firing a shot." In other words, war accomplishes nothing. Peace should be pursued at all costs.
On August 31, Haaretz discussed the "secret reason for Netanyahu's timing" on attacking Iran, saying:
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