Is Israel Escalating War on Gaza to Foil US-Iran Deal?

John Glaser, November 14, 2012

The flare up of violence between Israel and Gaza looks like its about to escalate, with an Israeli airstrike today killing a Hamas commander and Israeli military leadership talking openly about the possibility of an expanded war on Gaza, possibly including a ground invasion.

This escalation occurs just days after widespread reports about newly reelected Obama mulling a grand bargain with Iran over its disputed nuclear program. Barbara Slavin and Laura Rozen at Al-Monitor reported on Monday that US officials told them Washington was considering offering a “more for more” deal with Iran, based on the fuel swap deal from Obama’s first term.

So what does Israel’s impending war on defenseless Gaza have to do with Iran diplomacy? Here’s a tweet from the Tehran bureau chief for the New York Times, Thomas Erdbrink:

And here:

I suspect this point was not lost on the Israeli leadership, either. So, is Netanyahu knowingly escalating military tensions in order to avoid a successful diplomatic overture? I’m speculating, but it isn’t far fetched. We know from extensive reporting, mainly in Israeli media, that in 2010 – just as President Obama requested a freeze on Jewish settlements in the West Bank with the aim of resuming peace talks – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tried to provoke Iran into a war with Israel that would eventually drag in the United States.

It reminds me of what former CIA Middle East analyst Paul Pillar referred to this week as “Netanyahu’s tension-stoking brinksmanship: to divert attention from continued Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory and inaction on the festering Israeli-Palestinian conflict.” “[T]he Iran issue,” Pillar has previously written, provides a “distraction” from international “attention to the Palestinians’ lack of popular sovereignty.” Now the situation seems reversed: Israel is escalating war with Gaza to maintain deadlock with their favorite scapegoat, Iran.

Israel, lest we forget, instigated this resumption of missile exchanges last week when two Palestinian civilians were shot and killed and Israeli tanks intruded into Gaza, prompting Gaza militants to respond by targeting Israeli soldiers, which then gave Israel an excuse to unleash successive airstrikes. And Israel had numerous chances to pacify the situation, considering Hamas publicly offered to establish a total ceasefire and Egypt appeared about to broker a truce between the two. Israel has intentionally inched towards escalation from the beginning. Are we to believe this isn’t strategic?



51 Responses to “Is Israel Escalating War on Gaza to Foil US-Iran Deal?”

  1. skulz fontaine
    November 14th, 2012 at 10:42 am

    Shouldn't the Israeli leadership be locked up for crimes against humanity?

  2. Is Israel Escalating War on Gaza to Foil US-Iran Deal? |
    November 14th, 2012 at 10:54 am

    [...] about the possibility of an expanded war on Gaza, possibly including a ground invasion. Read more @ Antiwar.com airstrike, attack, gaza, hamas, iran, israel, room [...]

  3. BaadasssMoFo
    November 14th, 2012 at 12:38 pm

    I'd like to think so but while the US and Israel are so entwined politically and militarily, the latest act of terror by Israel is but a pinprick compared to the 60 year and on-going criminal land grab of Palestinian land. If the Israelis are given a pass to steal from and oppress an entire people, what makes you think that this latest act of aggression will change anything?

  4. Dr Bob
    November 14th, 2012 at 10:27 pm

    I think that a solution to the problem is simple.
    Tell Israel that for every one of the Palestinians that are killed, two of their citizens somewhere in the world will also be killed in the same fashion.
    They only understand force and unfortunately, with the help of their Lap-Dog Obama, they never have to pay the price.
    It is time the International community takes a stand against them and the USA and puts them down like a rabit dog.

  5. Bill Lee
    November 14th, 2012 at 10:39 pm

    Action against Iran has been forbidden by China.
    US will allow the zio to smash some people of Palestine in Gaza as consolatory "booby" prize, and to divert the UN recognition petition
    The zio animals are spasming in panic.

  6. the lion
    November 14th, 2012 at 11:55 pm

    The Blowback could in fact be the recognition of Palestine in the UN, now wouldnt that throw the spanner in the works, for Israel! A request then could be made to the ICC!

  7. jimmy
    November 15th, 2012 at 12:12 am

    I'm so glad we have such a smart leader. With Prez Obama at the helm I feel confident that Israel best watch it's P & Q's or it might find itself very alone when it needs its friend the most.

  8. RParker
    November 15th, 2012 at 12:34 am

    The fact this hasn't happened yet or that high-ranking neocons who instigated the Iraq and Afghanistan wars haven't been bumped off proves there is no "Muslim terrorism". The real terrorism is from Israel, the USA, the Mossad and CIA.

  9. Major Farooq Razavi
    November 15th, 2012 at 2:49 am

    If the ZIONS attack the Hammas & or Iran Lord willing that will be the last nail in the ZIONS Coffin & their butts plus taht of the US NEOCONS & THEEIR UK POODLES
    Hope & I dare them to attk Iran

  10. Afghan RebeL
    November 15th, 2012 at 3:25 am

    It is sad, that Israel´s approach to the matter is the same as that of Nazi Hitler. And i am sure, Israel has learned nothing from Holocost than that what they practice with Palastine. Any one hopes that USA will do better or work for peace, is the foolest person in the world.

  11. kholawuyi@yahoo.com
    November 15th, 2012 at 5:03 am

    isreal must do something that'l just its extinction even to its allies. This latest aggression could be it.

  12. MarketingFile
    November 15th, 2012 at 9:58 am

    Just imagine …. if the shoe was on the other foot .

  13. Is Israel Escalating the Gaza War to Prevent Iran-US Deal? « The Gnostic Watchtower
    November 15th, 2012 at 12:10 pm

    [...] Is Israel Escalating the Gaza War to Prevent Iran-US Deal? [...]

  14. byrd_bahls22
    November 15th, 2012 at 2:02 pm

    Tell the Israeli leaders that the cash cow check is NOT in the mail.

  15. Hamás: “Israel ha abierto las puertas del infierno con el asesinato de Jabari” – El Ejército de Israel se prepara para una larga campaña en Gaza con un ímpetu comparable a la “Guerra de los Seis Días” – ¿Está Israel intensificando
    November 15th, 2012 at 4:06 pm

    [...] Glaser Antiwar (Traducido para Sleepwalkings por Ariel [...]

  16. Richard Steven Hack
    November 15th, 2012 at 4:06 pm

    While I agree that Israel uses its military activities as a diversion from other matters, once again I must warn against assuming that's all it is or that Israel is not serious in wanting Iran and Syria to be fractured into failed states that pose no threat to its long-term plans to control the entire Middle East.

    It's all part of one plan, so we must not divert our attention from one part to another. That plays into Israel's hands.

    It's even more important to not ignore the influence of the US ruling elites on all this. They intend to start a war with Iran to continue the war profiteering they've enjoyed for the last 11 years in Afghanistan and Iraq and to set the stage for controlling the Middle East again (whether they can achieve this in reality is irrelevant – they intend to try.)

  17. Richard Steven Hack
    November 15th, 2012 at 4:07 pm

    Also, anyone who thinks Obama is going to offer a legitimate "grand bargain" with Iran is still drinking the Obama Kool-aid…

  18. Is Israel Escalating War on Gaza to Foil US-Iran Deal? | My Catbird Seat
    November 15th, 2012 at 6:32 pm

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  19. Bomb Iran? No. Bomb Gaza? Yes! | Egypt
    November 16th, 2012 at 12:25 am

    [...] change the subjectOn Iran, former CIA analyst Paul Pillar and then John Glaser at antiwar.com have been right on the mark. Bibi bet on the wrong horse in the US – his [...]

  20. john conner
    November 16th, 2012 at 6:20 am

    I personally cant wait to see Israel rise to power, theyve had over 1000 missle attacks from gaza since jan.1 2012. With all do respect, we should round up all obama supporters and the exteme muslims over there and drop them off on antartica. World would be so GREAT

  21. Han
    November 16th, 2012 at 7:38 am

    Your a troll. People like you post comments to get a rise out of people. The comments section for an online article becomes quite pointless with moronic comments like yours.

  22. Dannielle
    November 16th, 2012 at 9:38 am

    If the Israelis are given a pass to steal from and oppress an entire people, what makes you think that this latest act of aggression will change anything?

  23. News Wire | War In Gaza: Why Now?
    November 16th, 2012 at 10:34 am

    [...] War lays out one theory: This escalation occurs just days after widespread reports about newly reelected Obama [...]

  24. BaadasssMoFo
    November 16th, 2012 at 11:16 am

    Don't worry, Han. "John Conner" is probably still thinking the Terminators are still out to get him. Besides, if his spelling, punctuation and grammar are anything to go by, he'd be hard pressed to locate Antarctica on a map…….oh wow, looks like we've just found the next Republican presidential candidate for 2016!!!!!!!!

  25. War In Gaza: Why Now? | Scattered Brethren
    November 16th, 2012 at 2:52 pm

    [...] War lays out one theory: This escalation occurs just days after widespread reports about newly reelected Obama [...]

  26. Bomb Iran? No. Bomb Gaza? Yes! - e-gnomi.com - ? ????? ??? ???????
    November 16th, 2012 at 4:28 pm

    [...] – is drowned. Lemme change the subject On Iran, former CIA analyst Paul Pillar and then John Glaser at antiwar.com have been right on the mark. Bibi bet on the wrong horse in the US – his pathetic, defeated pal [...]

  27. What’s Next in the Middle East? « azizonomics
    November 16th, 2012 at 4:49 pm

    [...] John Glaser, writing for AntiWar.com lays out one theory: Israel, lest we forget, instigated this resumption of missile exchanges last week when two Palestinian civilians were shot and killed and Israeli tanks intruded into Gaza, prompting Gaza militants to respond by targeting Israeli soldiers, which then gave Israel an excuse to unleash successive airstrikes. And Israel had numerous chances to pacify the situation, considering Hamas publicly offered to establish a total ceasefire and Egypt appeared about to broker a truce between the two. Israel has intentionally inched towards escalation from the beginning. Are we to believe this isn’t strategic? [...]

  28. Kingdom of Dreams
    November 16th, 2012 at 5:19 pm

    Israel was just waiting for the end of the US election. Obama has won and the war propaganda has started

  29. Guest Post: What’s Next In The Middle East? | PoorStandards
    November 16th, 2012 at 6:05 pm

    [...] John Glaser, writing for AntiWar.com lays out one theory: Israel, lest we forget, instigated this resumption of missile exchanges last week when two Palestinian civilians were shot and killed and Israeli tanks intruded into Gaza, prompting Gaza militants to respond by targeting Israeli soldiers, which then gave Israel an excuse to unleash successive airstrikes. And Israel had numerous chances to pacify the situation, considering Hamas publicly offered to establish a total ceasefire and Egypt appeared about to broker a truce between the two. Israel has intentionally inched towards escalation from the beginning. Are we to believe this isn’t strategic? [...]

  30. The 4th Media » War In Gaza: Why Now? Election Politics?
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    [...] War lays out one theory: This escalation occurs just days after widespread reports about newly reelected Obama [...]

  31. Bomb Iran? No. Bomb Gaza? Yes! | My Catbird Seat
    November 17th, 2012 at 2:52 am

    [...] Iran, former CIA analyst Paul Pillar and then John Glaser at antiwar.com have been right on the mark. Bibi bet on the wrong horse in the US – his pathetic, defeated [...]

  32. What’s Next in the Middle East? |
    November 17th, 2012 at 4:52 am

    [...] John Glaser, writing for AntiWar.com lays out one theory: Israel, lest we forget, instigated this resumption of missile exchanges last week when two Palestinian civilians were shot and killed and Israeli tanks intruded into Gaza, prompting Gaza militants to respond by targeting Israeli soldiers, which then gave Israel an excuse to unleash successive airstrikes. And Israel had numerous chances to pacify the situation, considering Hamas publicly offered to establish a total ceasefire and Egypt appeared about to broker a truce between the two. Israel has intentionally inched towards escalation from the beginning. Are we to believe this isn’t strategic? [...]

  33. What’s Next in the Middle East? | My Blog
    November 17th, 2012 at 5:01 am

    [...] John Glaser, writing for AntiWar.com lays out one theory: Israel, lest we forget, instigated this resumption of missile exchanges last week when two Palestinian civilians were shot and killed and Israeli tanks intruded into Gaza, prompting Gaza militants to respond by targeting Israeli soldiers, which then gave Israel an excuse to unleash successive airstrikes. And Israel had numerous chances to pacify the situation, considering Hamas publicly offered to establish a total ceasefire and Egypt appeared about to broker a truce between the two. Israel has intentionally inched towards escalation from the beginning. Are we to believe this isn’t strategic? [...]

  34. DAS WANDERNDE AUGE: Von sexy Benghazi bis hin zu Syrien und Gaza | Lars Schall
    November 17th, 2012 at 10:28 am

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  35. Bomb Iran? No. Bomb Gaza? Yes! « Middle East atemporal
    November 17th, 2012 at 10:15 pm

    [...] change the subject On Iran, former CIA analyst Paul Pillar and then John Glaser at antiwar.com have been right on the mark. Bibi bet on the wrong horse in the US — his pathetic, defeated pal [...]

  36. John Joyce
    November 18th, 2012 at 5:06 am

    Israel will never change from the road it's on . Then how about us, acting as we do ,permitting all their actions , scolding them with our hat in our hand . Nosiree, this time in history will not be our finest hour, not by a long shot .

  37. WAR IN GAZA: WHY NOW? « sreaves32
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  38. Bob B
    November 18th, 2012 at 5:43 pm

    I totally agree with the comment above that Israel is treating the palestinians exactly the same way Hitler treated them. Our government is such a hyprocrit that we always support Israel even though they started these last rounds of warfare and Israel always has some rediculous way to justify it's actions. Sorry U.S. Government not all people here agree with your support of Israel. The palestinians have a right to be in their own land and this is just an excuse for Israel to invade. Israel needs to behave and back-off!

  39. Election Politics? « phantasypublishing
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    [...] War lays out one theory: This escalation occurs just days after widespread reports about newly reelected Obama [...]

  40. Bomb Iran? No. Bomb Gaza? Yes! | The Bangladesh Chronicle
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  41. Global Research> War In Gaza: Why Now? Election Politics? « WAMMToday
    November 19th, 2012 at 2:10 pm

    [...] War lays out one theory: This escalation occurs just days after widespread reports about newly reelected Obama [...]

  42. War In Gaza: Why Now? « LeakSource
    November 20th, 2012 at 7:10 am

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  43. faisal
    November 20th, 2012 at 8:16 am

    Isreal will gona pay for this act of killing innocent peoples…. InshAllah…..Isreal, Allah will never forgive u and ur mischievious acts and give you a very very big punishment… the punishment u can't Imagine

  44. | NavalBrasil.com
    November 22nd, 2012 at 8:07 am

    [...] the Two Gulfs”   [6]  14/11/2012, Antiwar blog, John Glaser em: “Is Israel Escalating War on Gaza to Foil US-Iran Deal?”   [7]  8/11/2012, Antiwar blog, John Glaser em: “Netanyahu [...]

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