November 5, 2012
Report: Netanyahu, Barak ordered preparation for Iran strike in 2010
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Toulouse, France, on Nov. 1. Photo by Bob Edme/Reuters
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak ordered the Israeli military in 2010 to prepare for an attack on Iran's nuclear sites, an Israeli news channel reported.
Netanyahu gave the order during a meeting with what is known as the cabinet of seven, or the security cabinet, Israeli investigative journalist Ilana Dayan reported.
The command was reported in a television promotion Sunday night for the season premiere of Dayan’s one-hour weekly documentary program, “Fact,” on Israel Channel 2. The program to air Monday night will look at Israel’s decision-making process regarding an attack on Iran's nuclear program.
Former IDF General Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi and former Mossad head Meir Dagan told Dayan that the order to go to a level "P Plus" – code for getting ready for a military strike, was an attempt to circumvent getting the approval of the full Cabinet.
Dagan reportedly said that "the prime minister and defense minister were trying to "hijack a war."
Ashkenazi reportedly responded that the Israeli military lacked the operational capability to carry out such a strike.
Since retiring from the military, Dagan and Ashkenazi have both publicly stated their opposition to an Israeli strike on Iran.
