Kadima chairman Shaul Mofaz hinted Tuesday, for the second time in 24 hours, that an Israeli strike on Iran is imminent. Mofaz was Deputy Prime Minister and a member of the inner security cabinet until a few days ago, and therefore was in a position to know if such a strike is indeed impending.
He did this in the context of a failed attempt by Likud to engineer a split in Kadima, and bring seven current Kadima Knesset members – as well as former MK Tzachi Hanegbi – into the coalition.
“I say this with a very heavy heart and with a very bad feeling,” Mofaz told IDF Radio. “It is worrisome that this is happening, of all places, in a state that used to know how to maintain the difference between political moves and personal security. This is horse-trading in the Holy of Holies of Israel.”
Mofaz contented himself with heavily hinting that he was referring to plans for an imminent Iran strike, “which are kept under wraps,” he explained. He made it clear that he opposes such a strike: “I think any attack is premature, for all intents and purposes, before we have exhausted the existing possibilities.”
Mofaz’s statements could be a kind of political gamble on the success or failure of an Iranstrike. If the strike is perceived as a success, Netanyahu will likely sail on its wings to greater electoral support in the next elections. If the strike is perceived as a failure or too costly, Mofaz will be able to say “I told you so” and garner electoral support as having opposed the move.