Israel-based analyst Neri Zilber puts this week's "war talk" from Israel --- which began with claimed signals from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office of the pursuit of a Cabinet consensus for an attack on Iran --- into perspective:
Israeli posturing is for the benefit of the international community, to increase pressure on Iran. The only difference this time is the heightened intensity of the internal debate within the Israeli security establishment, which is leaking out in torrents.
The benefits to Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Barak of this media campaign are immense, and are not just limited to the upcoming International Atomic Energy Agency report and potential UN Security Council action:
1) Barak has been engaged in a fierce battle with the Treasury ministry over the defense budget, which has been threatened due to this summer's social protest movement. How can you slash the defense budget with a regional war in the offing?
2) Any negative news regarding same social protest, ongoing doctor's strike, moribund peace process, and new settlement construction have been buried under blaring headlines on the Iran story.
3) After the return of Gilad Shalit [the Israeli soldier held for five years in Gaza], Netanyahu was attacked from the right for appearing weak on terrorism/Hamas. The current Iran uproar is a way for him to shore up his hawkish credentials.