The Foreign Ministry is receiving reports from the US that
the war predictions emanating from Israeli leaders are being
sharply criticized by the US media, which accuse them of
trying to goad the administration into war.
The ministry is also receiving reports of mounting
antisemitism by elements claiming that the White House is
being controlled by Jews.
Until now, however, Israeli officials have ignored warnings
from US and Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Ariel
Sharon, to be cautious and stop predicting when the war will
begin.
The United States Embassy said that Israel would receive
warning of the upcoming American strike on Iraq, contrary to
reports in the Israeli media stating otherwise, Israel Radio
reported.
Reports of American anger about Israeli "blabbering" over the
prospective US invasion of Iraq came from the consulate-
general in New York, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said on
Monday.
An official warned that these declarations help those in the
US who claim America is fighting Israel's war and create the
impression that Israel is impatient to see the US launch its
attack.
From the beginning, Israel maintained it had nothing to do
with the dispute between the US and Iraq, "but these senior
officials are creating the impression that Israel is involved
in the crisis, and there is no doubt a US citizen can explode
with anger when he hears such things."
The news that excessive talk about the war has angered the US
and stoked antisemitism is worrying Prime Minister Ariel
Sharon.
On Monday, he declared that only three officials may speak in
public about the war: Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz, Shalom,
and himself. Shalom said emissaries abroad have been
instructed not to talk with the media about Iraq.
Sharon on Monday praised US President George W. Bush and the
US's determination to wage war against Iraq.
A senior IDF officer said that war with Iraq is likely to
have a restraining effect on the major players in the north --
Iran, Syria and Hizbullah -- since all three want to avoid
becoming America's next target. "The last speech by Hizbullah
Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah consisted entirely of
apologies and excuses for why [Hizbullah] isn't attacking
Israel now," he said.
