‘Nuclear Iran is a risk to the world’

 

 

ONE year has passed by since the Hamas attacked Israel through Gaza on October 7, 2023. In retaliation, Israeli forces have eliminated several leaders of Hamas and Hezbollah. Now, Israel has launched strikes on Iran, targetting military bases there. The theatre of war is expanding. What exactly did unfold during this period of over one year from Israel’s perspective? What is the road ahead? How deep are Israel-India relations? Why is Israel against nuclear-powered Iran? ‘The Hitavada’ posed these questions to Kobbi Shoshani, the Consul General of Israel to Mid-West India. A man of poise and cheerful approach, with deep understanding of diplomacy and geopolitics, he answered these questions candidly in an exclusive interview to ‘The Hitavada’. Here are the excerpts: Q. Israel has been locked in a conflict with neighbours. Israel Prime Minister Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu has called it a ‘war of existence’ for Israel.

 

What is the difference between the situation this time and on previous occasions? CG: I’ll try to answer in a non-political way. First time since our war of independence, some part of Israeli territory was controlled by terrorists for some time. Hezbollah of Lebanon, Houthis of Yemen, Iraqi militia, and Iranian forces made the situation more challenging. This is certainly a war to ensure safety of our people. We have to win, and we will win it definitely.

 

Q. In his speech at the UN, Mr. Netanyahu called for ensuring that Iran would never get a nuclear weapons programme. Why is Israel against Iran’s nuclear programme? (Contd from page 1) CG: It is a key issue for the entire world, the US, and Europe included. Nuclear Iran is very bad for the world. Not because the Iranians are bad, but their regime is playing a very negative role towards Israel as well as other Arab nations. Nuclear Iran is a risk to the world. It is in the interest of the world to prevent Iran from becoming nuclear capable, and Israel will play its part in this regard.

 

Q. Israel’s fronts have extended from Palestine to Lebanon to Iran. Do you see the opening of more fronts? Will Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar’s elimination, attack on Mr. Netanyahu’s house escalate the situation further? CG: We have sent a clear message to the entire Middle East -- Do not mess with us. When we have to fight for our life, the situation leaves us no other option.The message is heard in Yemen, Lebanon, and Iran. The Iranians must have understood Israel’s power, sophistication of technology, and our determination to win the war. When they start to understand the message, the situation will definitely de-escalate. The attack on our Prime Minister’s house was a big mistake they (terrorists) made. It is not just a house, it is a symbol of government of Israel. The severe incident’s retaliation will come from Israel in many ways. The attackers will have to pay the price for this. Our Prime Minister made it very very clear. Right now, we are targetting the banks and financial sources of Hezbollah. Very soon, they will beg for ceasefire. I expect deterioration to be followed by ceasefire, according to our conditions.

 

Q. Israel has taken an unusual step of declaring Mr. Antony Guterres, the UN Secretary-General, as ‘persona non grata’ and banning his entry in Israel. This is being viewed as an ‘extreme step’ by some nations of the world. What is your take on this? CG: After October 7 last year, social workers and doctors working for the UN celebrated rape of Israeli women, terrorists taking Israelis as hostages, beheading boys and girls in front of their parents... this has not been seen in history. They got support from the UN Secretary-General. He tried to avoid (the situation), and spoke about ‘balance’. Where is the question of ‘balance’ in this? Where is your heart? He helped the other side to celebrate. He cannot be a friend of Israelis. Hence the decision of declaring him ‘persona non grata’. Under Guterres’ leadership, the UN tried to corner Israel all the time. The UN failed to be neutral. There is a dramatic majority (against us) in the UN, which we cannot stand anymore. Enough is enough! Our declaration reflected this sentiment clearly.

 

Q. Do you think the world will be a safer place if Hamas, Hezbollah and such organisations cease to exist? CG: Our objective has been to eliminate military power of Hamas. Military power going out of formula can pave way for possibility of prosperity and better life for people of Gaza. Gaza can be like Singapore. Instead of millions of dollars spent on weapons and rockets, bloodshed and sufferings, there is need to build hospitals, hotels, infrastructure development to make life of Palestinians better. We want ordinary Palestinians to live a good life. But, we have reasons against Hamas leaders and terrorists. Burning our babies is something unforgettable. We, the Jews of Israel, will never forget and never forgive.

 

Q. The world was closer to witnessing a historic reconciliation between the Jews and the Arabs, but the Israel-Hamas conflict cropped up. How do you see the Saudi Arabia-Israel deal progressing in the present climate? CG: After October 7, 2023 trust between Israel and Palestinians completely eroded. Time will come when Hamas will realise that many Palestinians come to Israel to work and get salary, medical services in Israel. I saw happiness in the Arab world after assassination of Abdul Salam Haniyeh, Yahya Sinwar. Most of them understand that they should cooperate with Israel for the benefit of entire Middle East rather than be led by such terrorists who do not bring any hope, but just war, bloodshed, and atrocities to this region. Israel has around 20 per cent of Palestinian Arabs and they are drawing benefits, thanks to equal rights. Believe me, they do not want to be a part of Hamas. We don’t have anything against Arabs. Egyptian, Jordanians, and Saudis are our partners. Many people in the Arab world, and also from Pakistan and Iran, send us messages that they do not like these terrorists, they love us. So, from our side, there is optimism about the Saudi-Israel deal.

 

Q. India and Israel are nations that understand each other. Both have been facing the threat of terrorism. How do you see India-Israel ties progressing in today’s complex, multipolar, and multilateral world? CG: First of all, I condole the death of terror attack victims in Kashmir. It made me very sad. It was terrible. The bond between India and Israel is extremely important because of family values, ancient civilisations, customs and traditions, and fight against terrorism. India is among our top friends in the world, and cooperation with India is important. India-Israel send an important message to the world -- do not harbour terrorism and threaten the world; instead try to build bridges and roads and economy and technology like what India and Israel have been doing. Our ties will definitely grow stronger.

 

Q. India-Canada ties are under strain over the issue of Khalistan, and some nations have been speaking the language of Canada. What will be your take? CG: It will not be appropriate for me to comment on India-Canada relations. But, I must state that India should be one India -- ‘no Khalistan, no Hamasistan!’ We support India on this. Q. Israel’s history, culture, innovations in agriculture and defence sectors have left the world in awe. What are the values with which Israel could achieve all this? CG: Necessity has driven our progress all through. Our innovations in technology, communication, medicine are changing the world for the better. For example, we had lack of water. So, we brought drip-irrigation to save water, improve water management. Necessity drives the effort to find solutions to problems.

 

Q. What is your message to the Indians in the current context? CG: Most of the Indians support Israel. We want more and more Indians to visit Israel, more businessmen to collaborate with us. I reach out to schools in India, give children access to politicians, bureaucrats, and diplomats. I admire young Indians as they are smart, curious, and want to succeed, win, put in their best effort. I see amazing Indian industry, and fantastic young generation fuelling rapid stride of India towards becoming ‘number three’ economy of the world in a few years. As far as the experience of Jews in India is concerned, they have been living in India for more than 2000 years. They never ever suffered any persecution. Jews have synagogues in India. I am very proud to be serving in India. People and Government of India have been very cooperative. I am sure that the age-old India-Israel bond will flourish in future. 

 

 

What started off as Israel’s retaliation of Hamas attack through Gaza on October 7, 2023, has escalated into a long-drawn conflict. One year has gone by, and the conflict continues with newer theatres being opened. Asked if this will lead to what many perceive as ‘World War-III’, the Israeli Consul General replied that the situation would not escalate to a world war. “This is a very interesting and challenging time. We knew it was not going to be short. After one month of preparation, we started maneuvering into Gaza with two objectives -- to eliminate military power of Hamas and to bring home the Israeli hostages. But, one day after the war started, Hezbollah started firing hundreds of rockets into northern Israel, and it has been doing so to this date. We are fighting a two, three, four, five front war. No other country has had to fight like this,” said Kobbi Shoshani. Israel is still waiting for release of 101 Israeli hostages, he added. According to Shoshani, recent weeks have seen dramatic changes in war with the collapse of headquarters and leader of Hezbollah, fall of Hamas head Yahya Sinwar. “A lot of people now realise that Hamas is not powerful anymore. This part is almost finished, though not 100 per cent. Since Iran is trying its proxies, Palestinians and Lebanese are paying in their blood. This is going to take some more time. But, we are going to prevail,” he stressed.