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Stop the Hysteria Before War Erupts With Iran
The war of words between the US, Israel, and Iran intensifies by the day.
All the parties involved are shamelessly playing to domestic audiences in this election year. Israel keeps issuing threats it will attack Iran’s nuclear power installations, though some of its senior security officials downplay an alleged threat from Iran.
US intelligence still maintains Iran is not working on nuclear weapons. UN nuclear inspectors confirm this view, though they have been pressured by the US, which pays a quarter of UN salaries, to suggest Iran might be working on something nefarious – though all Iran’s nuclear sites are under strict UN inspection and satellite surveillance.
Not a peep from the UN about what global damage would be caused by an Israeli attack on Iran’s nuclear sites. Radioactive dust storms, to say the least.
The US Congress pulsates with war fever, fuelled by oncoming elections and huge cash donations. North America’s media pounds the war drums.
Iran shows spectacular public relations ineptitude by fulminating against Israel, calling it a “tumor” that must be removed, and firing obsolete tactical missiles and staging flamboyant military exercises by its feeble armed forces.
In fact, Iran is doing the work of Israel’s hard-right Likud government by convincing the world that the Jewish state faces another Holocaust. Canada’s blustering, ill-informed foreign minister just repeated this absurd canard even though Iran is not believed to have any nuclear weapons. He preposterously compared Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to Hitler.
Even Israel’s hawkish defense minister recently opined that Iran is still some years away from having the ability to deploy a nuclear-armed missile.
Few ask the sensible question: why would Iran risk nuclear vaporization by Israel and or the US just to launch a small number of its inaccurate missiles at Israel? US and Israeli early warning satellites would spot any Iranian missiles at launch and bring down a nuclear holocaust on the Islamic Republic.
Israel’s North American partisans, whipped into a frenzy of alarm by a clever scare campaign designed to boost the fortunes of Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud Party, reply that Iran is run by madman who seek nuclear martyrdom.
Over in the Mideast and parts of Europe, Israel’s Likud leadership, notably the Russian-born foreign minister, Avigdor Lieberman, who Israeli leftist often denounce as a deranged fascist, is regarded with as much alarm as Iran’s hot-headed leaders. “Those crazy Iranians and Israelis are going to start a nuclear disaster on our doorstop,” one European politician said to me.
The Iran crisis has benefitted politicians in the US and Israel by defocusing public anger from the ongoing economic crisis in both nations, and by almost totally obscuring the Palestinian’s quest for recognition and statehood. Little wars are famously beneficial for politicians.
Both Barack Obama and Netanyahu expect to reap dividends from “getting tough” on the latest miscreant in a long line of Muslim bogeymen. Think back to the western power’s demonization of Gamal abdel-Nasser, whom Anthony Eden called, “Hitler on the Nile;” to “arch terrorist” Yasser Arafat; to “mad dog of the Mideast” Muammar Khadaffi; to “Butcher of Baghdad” Saddam Hussein; “Mr 9/11” Osama bin Laden; and now “the new Hitler” Ahmadinejad.
Here we go again. These targets of western wrath and vilification actually seem to enjoy their starring roles as villains and hate figures. Any publicity is better than no publicity.
Lost amid all the threats is another simple question. Why are Iran and Israel at scimitar’s drawn? After all, under the late, unlamented Shah, Israel and Iran used to be bosom buddies. Even under the late Ayatollah Khomeini, a big hate figure in the Jewish world, Israel secretly sold some $5 billion worth of US arms and spare parts to Iran during its long, bloody, 1980’s war with Iraq.
The main reason is that Islamic Iran has become the primary champion of the Palestinians now that the Arab states – and notably Syria - are on the ropes. Iraq, formerly a leading champion of the Palestinians, was crushed by the US. Iran is next on the chopping block if the US American-Israel Public Affairs Committee has its way.
A fair Israel-Palestinian deal would end the crisis between Israel and Iran. So would a Mideast nuclear-free zone. But no one dares pose this simple solution.
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50 Comments so far
Show AllAlways good to see that someone is trying to counter warmongering hyperbole with rational arguments and facts, although it seems to do nothing in terms of changing attitudes or behavior. At least we can feel some satisfaction that we are clearly on the right side of this mess. Good for personal integrity if nothing else.
"if nothing else"
I've been voting for forty years with the same thought, I am not voting for a winner (i.e. R or D) but it's good for my personal integrity, if nothing else.
My personal integrity still stands. I can't say as much for the integrity of my country.
>>Even under the late Ayatollah Khomeini, a big hate figure in the Jewish world, Israel secretly sold some $5 billion worth of US arms and spare parts to Iran during its long, bloody, 1980’s war with Iraq.<<
Does anyone remember "Iran/Contra"? What a duplicitous country we live in with nefarious plots, unknown to the citizenry, are seemingly always afoot with nothing is as it seems.
A duplicitous country indeed. Nefarious plots abounding. Libya was the most prosperous of Africa's nations until we stepped in with our Al Qaeda allies (yes, I said Al Qaeda allies, Al Qaeda was and is a CIA asset). Now Libya is torn by factional strife, all by design. Now the United States is sending in its Al Qaeda operatives into Syria to undermine its anti-Israel govenment, all by design. Shame shame shame on us.
You are spot on with your Al Qaeda/CIA reference. It was a CIA invention and has always been a CIA asset.
And it was a CIA asset on 9/11. Americans would rather believe the beautiful lie rather than face the ugly truth.
Acknowledgement of an evil shadow govt running the show solely for its own aim$ - at the expense of humanity - might, *might* I say, interfere with the feel-goodness of watching Dancing With The stars, or cheering their favorite sports team. American priorities, don't ya know...
Eric Margolis is correct in his assertion that the hyped up threat of war is dangerous, unfounded and unjustified. If Iran were to renounce their support for Palestinian Statehood, the Israelis would back off. However the U.S. is still eying Iranian oil and won't dismiss the rhetoric so easily. Ever since the U.S. traded in democracy for a corpocracy, any rational response to domestic and foreign issues have to rake a back set to potential corporate profits. Fortunately an American invasion to secure oil fields in Iran will not benefit all U.S. corporations and therefore it is not a fait accompli. However an attack by Israel to dissuade Iran from their continued support of the Palestinian cause could drag the U.S. into yet another war in the Middle East. Most Americans, easily swayed by the corporate media, would actually buy into the propaganda that another war is for 'our own security' thereby insuring that one of the two corporate parties are elected this November.
"If Iran were to renounce their support for Palestinian Statehood, the Israelis would back off."
I don't see why you would think this, given that Israel has been on record since the Clinton presidency as supporting a "2-state solution" in Palestine.
This is a stupid article. How is Iran showing PR ineptitude? A "tumor" seems like a pretty apt analogy for Israel. It's a foreign body, metastasizing and causing harm to its host. And Israel's war-mongering against Iran has nothing to do with the Palestinians. The Zionists are going to continue killing Palestinians and taking their land and water regardless of who shows solidarity, and they're going to continue trying to drag the US into war against Iran because in the final analysis, Mel Gibson was right.
Wow! I hear heads exploding all over the place. Kudos to you for having the intestinal fortitude to say it.
Margolis' article is indeed stupid in one sense: here's a quote: "Iran shows spectacular public relations ineptitude by ... firing obsolete tactical missiles and staging flamboyant military exercises by its feeble armed forces."
What an uninformed, irresponsible writer Margolis is! Apparently, he never reads even CD blogs and has never heard that Iran has the most advanced surface-to-surface anti-ship missiles. Here's an excerpt from M. Gaffney's article on Rense.com:
"The US ships in the Gulf will already have come within range of the Sunburn missiles and the even more-advanced SS-NX-26 Yakhonts missiles, also Russian-made (speed: Mach 2.9; range: 180 miles) deployed by the Iranians along the Gulf's northern shore. Every US ship will be exposed and vulnerable. When the Iranians spring the trap, the entire lake will become a killing field. "
And when they are done with the Palestinians, they will go after the next obstacle in their quest for world domination. Stop them now, or stop them later, They must be stopped. Iran is not our enemy!!!
Iran may have a feeble military, but they have a viable threat to close the Strait of Hormuz because even a feeble military can block a narrow and shallow channel well enough to prevent oil tankers from passing through. Even if the US military laid waste to Iran's entire military, a few people willing to risk their lives could make passage impossible.
The US military can't bring itself to acknowledge the fact that armed civilians have defeated it in Iraq and Afghanistan. The US succeeded in slaughtering untold numbers of innocent civilians, but the resistance never ended.
Next the US will give up all pretenses of humanitarianism, will boldly "withdraw" from these countries, but will leave massive military power behind, without troops in the field.
Our incompetent born again Christian military leaders believe they can rule the world with their toys.
"Our incompetent born again Christian military leaders believe they can rule the world with their toys."
I think their major concern--those who are actually in the military--is having a permanent state of war somewhere in the world all the time. That's how they get promotions in the military and how they get a cushy retirement job with the MIC when they hang up their uniforms. And they don't have to be Christians, either.
And profit. Don't forget profit. There are people who will make a killing (bad pun intended) in the war against Iran. Stop them now or stop them later, they will not rest until we are all slaves.
Iran doesn't have to block the Straits of Hormuz or send missiles into Israel or confront the mighty military machine of the USA. All it has to do is sink oil tankers to send Europe and America into depression.
That is irrational. Why would Iran want to commit suicide? The US is already in a depression anyway.
Right, but is it suicide to fight back in war and do they look scared?
To me it is an obvious most effective war option that they have already warned about.
If they can’t send their oil thorough the straights due to the Western Sanctions and China, Russia and India to name a few won’t obey the sanctions on Iran, they could block the straights with a few sunken tankers and they have thousands of ship killing missiles to do it and sell it’s oil by trucking it to Asia on their own continent.
This option is already on their table if Israel attacks their nuclear facilities which would release radio active materials into the air. If it is suicide to fight back than all the militants who are beating the US in Asia are committing suicide, but they are winning so how would Iran lose?
If you want the world depression that the Banksters warned about, attack Iran and they will truck their oil North, East and the price of it will skyrocket.
Obama says he will keep the straights open at all costs but nobody knows how in a war he can do that. Only after the war and I don’t think Iran is gonna surrender if Israel attacks Iran, Israel will get blamed for the consequenses and if Obama backs Israel the Republicans will blame him for stalling, acting too late, way too late, and Israel and America will be hurt more than Iran.
If Iran get's nuked, nobody knows what will happen but it will be a surprise for everyone on the planet.
How does the war sound now, does Iran look worried?
If I were Iran I would be extremely worried. They are surrounded with overwhelming firepower, just look at a map.
The threat of closing Hormuz is the only "retaliation" they have. Sure they won't roll over if attacked, but this will be an air war and they are heavily outgunned. If the straights are closed it would only be temporary.
I think you are right about using Israel as the focus of blame. Or a classic Tonkin-style incident could provide and excuse to start bombing and make it look like Iran "started it"
You are not Iran and as an American you should be "extremely worried”.
They could also hit Tel Aviv with dirty missiles just to even the spread of radio activity and when you say blocking the Straights would be “temporary" you are assuming that Iran will surrender because it will take a lot of time to unblock the straights and any ships working will be vulnerable until Iran surrenders, but how would they surrender?
Aircraft carriers or any war ship in that area would be sitting ducks for ship killing missiles.
Air War? The US dropped more bombs on North Vietnam than all the bombs in World War Two and they kicked our Ass.
I can’t believe how many Americans still think our military might can win any war when we haven’t won a real war since 45.
Poor old Israel with all those nuclear weapons they are so vulnerable (lol). It appears you watch too much TV and read the NYT. Boo! The Politics of Fear wins again. Go hide under your bed, there might be Reds under there, or Iranian terrorists
You miss the point, there should BE NO WAR in the first place. It is based on a pack of lies just like Iraq. Gullible folks who are easily scared by phony bogeymen just never learn I guess.
What kind of socialist are you?
If anyone was making the point that there should be no war, It is me not your comments about this temporaty American victory with "air power".
If it wasn’t for Russia we wouldn’t have won the 2nd world War!
And Russia and China, India and Pakistan to name a few are not goin to help with this one.
Sorry what is your point? This is Quixotic. You just want to yell at somebody? It seems you never read my post or you have a poor command of the language
How about: WAR WITH IRAN IS BASED ON LIES AND BULLSHIT, THERE SHOULD BE NO WAR!!!!
Is that clear enogh now?
Oh I see you edited your insults quickly, Of course it is based on lies.
So you think "we won the 2nd World War" do you? Don't you see that everything we face currently is an outgrowth of that war? That war has never ended. Wars are never "won". They spawn other wars and continued hatred. The United States has been at war constantly since before 1941 when it began the war in the Pacific with its petroleum embargo against Japan.
Well Excuse Me for thinking, maybe Hitler would have been better for you.
you may be ready to reply "we have fascism now", but under the Nazis you would be in prison or dead for what you just said. So, as far as the term "winning a war “ with the other side surrendering, the allies won.
Of course war is not the answer and your point is sophomoric since this topic is not about arguing over words like win and lose, my point is about how we can’t win wars period.
"I can’t believe how many Americans still think our military might can win any war when we haven’t won a real war since 45."
"We" had a lot of help in that one, too--from the Russians, the Brits, the Chinese and all the "Old Dominions" of the British Commonwealth (Canada, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand) as well as the Free Forces of the countries of Nazi-occupied Europe. I doubt we'd get that kind of support again, especially as our recent military actions have been no more than adventuring.
Thank You.
The type of war we've been using since Viet Nam is carrier-based, which is extremely vulnerable to actual war. There is no way we would win WWIII and our admirals know it. Carriers are obsolete in a major war, in the blink of an eye, every one of them gone. You can't hide an aircraft carrier from satellites, and submarines are equipped with nuclear torpedoes. Bam!
Mr. Margolis, if the Obama regime wants to start another war they will do, it has already been planned for and the preparations are being set. Apparently a majority of Democrats and Americans in general, approve of the use of drones, even if it means deaths of hundreds of civilians. A slight majority of Dems also approve of violations of the law as long as a D President does it, and not a big bad R President. (NDAA 2012)
(See Repulsive Progressive Hypocrisy. Glenn Greenwald
http://www.salon.com/2012/02/08/repulsive_progressive_hypocrisy/singleton/)
If such a large majority of the US population has no problem with blatant hypocrisy, suspension of Constitutional protections, suspension of due process etc. etc. they will believe another set of ridiculous lies to lead us into another war.
People believed the lies about Libya and untold thousands of people were killed needlessly. War crimes were almost certainly committed by the Obama, Cameron and Sarkozy govts. War crimes are committed almost daily when drones murder innocent women and children in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Yet no one says a word. Intl. law continues to be made a mockery of. The double standards are clear for all to see.
First, however, Syria will be subjected to quasi civil war and regime change. The UK has advisors on the ground according to DEBKA (Israeli intelligence site). It seems very likely that CIA/Mossad/MI6 are on the ground advising the rebel groups. I think Damascus is on the road to Teheran.
In short, there is no significant anti-war voice in the US to stop the war criminals. Ironically and sadly enough the only anti-war voice in mainstream politics is Ron Paul.
So I would not count on the D/R bipartisan consensus, or the presstitute corporate propaganda cartel to utter a peep of protest or disbelief in irrational lies of Orwellian proportions.
" Here we go again ". One has to wonder if an attack on Iran might bring in Pakistan, China and Russia this time, with their nukes. If that happens, it might not be here we go again, but here we go for the last time!
One nation, with liberty and freedom for oil.
it is hard to stop the hysteria when those making the most noise are certifiably insane.
one could point out that "we" elected these idiots, but that merely suggests that the insanity is not restricted to our misrepresentatives.
as one who can't seem to work well "within the system," i also must acknowledge that too little engagement by those who have healthier political and social vision has led to a much less healthy world. i accept that as harsh reality, even though i will continue the struggle to create positive alternatives in my own life and community - hoping that the growing numbers of warriors for peace will one day prevail.
The consequences of bombing Iran would be so unimaginable, and no way to stop once it starts, I can only hope Israel is bluffing.
Word has been leaking out that all the major American news networks have been rehearsing "war coverage" of an attack on Iran for the past couple of weeks. This is on top of the published story that news organizations are renting rooftops in Tel Aviv for the anticipated war.
Here is information published in today's CounterPunch: “I was visiting ABCNews the other day to see a friend who works on graphics. When I went to his room, he showed me all the graphics he was making in anticipation of the Israeli attack on Iran; not just maps, but flight patterns, trajectories, and 3-d models of U.S. aircraft carrier fleets. But what was most disturbing – was that ABC, and presumably other networks, have been rehearsing these scenarios for over 2 weeks, with newscasters and retired generals in front of maps talking about missiles and delivery systems, and at their newsdesks – the screens are emblazoned with “This is a Drill” to assure they don’t go out on air – (like War of the Worlds)."
"Iran shows spectacular public relations ineptitude by fulminating against Israel, calling it a 'tumor' that must be removed, and firing obsolete tactical missiles and staging flamboyant military exercises by its feeble armed forces.
In fact, Iran is doing the work of Israel’s hard-right Likud government by convincing the world that the Jewish state faces another Holocaust."
______________________________
I'm not a fan or advocate of all the tedious and exasperating kabuki nations and governments stage to send signals to each other and the world at large-- particularly the ritualistic finger-pointing, chest-thumping, saber-rattling, and War Boner swinging tropes of the rhetoric of belligerence.
But this growling bass continuo to the effete whispers within diplomatic circles remains the standard score in the pit of pathological international relations.
My objection to Margolis's observation is that Israel has become so accustomed to being treated with exaggerated, even obsequious, deference by Western nations that ANY formal disapproval or criticism expressed by a government is certain to be parlayed by Israel and its uncritical supporters into the standard hyperbolic claim that such disapproval or criticism reveals a malevolent intent to annihilate the state of Israel.
In other words, "the world"-- at least the Amerikan/Western European world-- has become so mesmerized and bamboozled by Israel's perpetual playing of the Holocaust card that it's ready to buy into the conclusion "Jewish state faces another Holocaust" at the slightest provocation.
It's beyond question that Iran has been persistently menaced, beleaguered, and scapegoated by the Western hegemony for decades.
So it's inevitable that Iran's government will respond by asserting itself exactly as any other national government does-- denouncing its detractors, flexing its muscles, and letting the world know that it's not willing or able to just sit back or roll over while a thuggish confederation of fellow nations trash-talks and bullies it to extinction.
Deploring this as "public relations ineptitude" implies that the domestic, internal "public relations" value of Iran's assertive and unapologetic stance is negligible or irrelevant.
It implies that the "smart" approach would be for Iran's government to adopt a kinder, gentler, more conciliatory posture towards Israel-- to reassure both Israel and the world that Iran is in no way a threat to Israel.
It's possible that an "improved' public relations approach that effectively seeks to reassure and appease Israel that it neither deserves nor engenders Iran's ill-will might de-escalate the situation. But it's asking and overlooking a lot to suggest that Iran is in a position to adopt this approach.
A much better article concerning Iran. And this guy used to be a Republican. Wow
http://www.paulcraigroberts.org/
I followed your link. It is good. There is some damn good writing there.
It is also totally depressing. We all seem to be powerless to prevent this. Just like in 2002/2003, Lies rule. Israel is determined to push this now. Probably because after the election, their control over Obama becomes greatly lessened.
Obama (or even hillary) is in a position to put a stop to this whole thing by just standing up and telling the truth, something which he seems to be totally incapable of. Perhaps that would entail losing ones job. The world can go to hell just so long as he gets his.
Even a single organ of the corporate media could stop this by standing up against the tide and telling the truth, something that they seem to be totally incapable of. I guess that would mean someone at the top losing their job, but is that price too high, given the destruction that is likely?
The British prime minister too is in a position to stop this, just as Tony Blair had the power to stop it. Given the choice between truth and his career, Tony chose his career. Had he been capable of honesty, he would never have risen to be the prime minister.
Yes all those people have the power to stop the next war, but Obama, Hillary, David Cameron have already comitted war crimes in Libya, Afghanistan, Pakistan. To them, there is a big incentive to go to war. Their cronies get billions more of taxpayer money and the war criminals don't do the dying, they just make money.
The same with the Corporate Propaganda Media Cartel, they told lies about every single war and they make money from war. So a huge incentive for them to start another war. Plus another war create a great diversion from the pillaging the suffering people are getting at home.
Until we prosecute our war criminals, nothing will get better. And except for a small minority of Americans, we aren't even prepared to admit our leaders ARE war criminals, much less prepared to prosecute them. No truth, no justice, no justice, no peace.
Hey you have forgotten the Ace in the hole.
Lebanon...Hezbollah Irans liitle brother. It holds the ace, if the jews go into Iran...the war from Israel will be on 2 fronts. If israel decide to kill civilians*again*there will be more than hell to pay cause the world cannot/wont(cept for Amerika)allow it to happen again.. What this means is most Arab states don't like Iran but they will react angrily if Israel/America kill innocent ppl in Lebanon.
It depends who starts that war on the second front and where Hezbo. decides to hide theirs missiles, eh?
Hezbo hide the missiles? The war on that front will be started by the jews with the yanks blessing. All i am saying is, the jews are in a no win situation. If they manage to take out Hezbollah and civilians get killed again, then they will have the world on their backs. If they hit Iran and are proven there is no nukes there, they are in trouble. The jews cannot hold onto 2 wars at once, thats why they need the yanks to fight there battles. What i say is fuck them and fuck the yanks.....you are quick to cry when it happens to you but when you do it is something else it is ok. Time has come ppl. Living in a republic is great isn't it...no democracy for anyone...billions on war and the needy go hungry. A big fuck you to the ones that did it.
"Here we go again." Until we stop the war profiteers, we are doomed to repeat ad infinitum or until noone is left to protest. Whichever comes first.
I protest!!!!
Sadly the fuse has already been lit for this war. It reminds me of the roll out of the Iraqi Af/Pak wars. This war is not about Syria and Iran it is about the destruction of Hezbollah and the Hamas military wing. It is also about the domination of the natural resources and strategic geography of the region (which also explains the earlier Libyan insurrection of the US/NATO alliance) by either East (Russia/China/ India) or west (NATO). Tragically caught in between are the millions of hapless Africans and Eurasians whose resources and geography are being haggled over.
"Sadly the fuse has already been lit for this war"
That is scary. I keep hoping that you are wrong. If you are correct, then the blame lies fairly and squarely at the feet of the ever manipulable Obama. I keep hoping that Obama will grow a spine. This is the result of failing to stand up for the truth. It is the result of going along with his AIPAC masters for fear of losing an election. Like in the roll out of the Iraq war, this stinks to high heaven.
The puppet masters pull the strings, and the politician dances to them, knowing that failure to do so, will cause the loss of an election. Yes, he gets his steps right, millions of people die and he gets to win the next election.
We cannot look to logical reasons for or against this war. War is not logical. The war profiteers, already glutted with their recent accomplishments in Iraq, Somalia, Libya, etc, want more, and they will have it, because obviously we are powerless to stop them. They will never be satisfied, because war, whatever the outcome has no downside to these monsters. Until we start prosecuting 21st century war crimes, nothing will change, and they will have their war, and we will lose more of our national treasures, more of our children on the altar of greed.
There is already a 'low intensity' war against Iran that is causing enormous suffering. A similar set of sanctions were used to weaken Iraqi's population prior to full scale bombings and Euro/US troop invasions/occupation. These tactics of war are studied, refined and implemented by US and Euro military strategists.
The propaganda arms of the 'war' planner/strategist institutions also write the spin articles/announcements for the 'progressive' and mainstream communities. The purpose of these announcements (or opinion pieces) is camouflage. Since you can't see who is calling the shots, you also cannot develop (or even wonder about) plans to effectively address them. Instead, you are encouraged to waste time considering all the incorrect info they provide in great and abundant streams.
The US and Europe are already 'at war' with Iran. (translation: We are seeing to the fact that the Iranian people, like most people of the ME are a subjugated people, employing now this tactic and now that tactic to insure continuous subjugation.)
"A fair Israel-Palestinian deal would end the crisis between Israel and Iran. So would a Mideast nuclear-free zone. But no one dares pose this simple solution."
Which has zip, nada and nothing to do with Euro/American Iranian relations. But, this absurd notion that Israeli/Palestinian relations affects Euro/Amer/Iranian relations has been an effective tool for generating confusion and empire camouflage. Israel is not a state that operates free of the empire that founded and legitimized it. Israel is a tool. Empire machinations throughout the area as well as in Iran pre-date the state of Israel... which like the US, assumed 'empire duties' almost as soon as it was granted statehood.
I wonder how many people are aware of the role that Jews played in Poland pre-1200. It is a very telling history. Royalty and priests were the ultra elite. Jews were given the role of the money lenders and were unable to own property. This Jew class (and its function) was created as a buffer between the serfs and the ruling elite (for the protection of the elite). Whenever there was hunger, blame the Jews, etc.
Similarly, the boogie man Israel, armed by the West is a very effective and useful scapegoat. How many times will history repeat? How many times will a tiny well-organized group who manage their continuing dominance through deception and violence easily deceive the cowardly and those anxious to be deceived?
Israel did not orchestrate 9/11. Israel did not bring the Pahlavi's to power. And, Israel did not usher in the Iranian Islamic regime to further impoverish the Iranian people (and provide justification for sanctions, etc.). Israel also did not orchestrate the Iran/Iraq war.
Israel is a valued soldier and propaganda tool in the empire's arsenal. But, don't be mistaken who is in charge. Were Israel gone, the empire game of controlling resources and subjugating people in the ME and beyond would continue unabated.