Newsletter
Newsletter Support JNS

MK Danon to JNS: No option but to retaliate against Iran

“In the next few hours, the decision will be made on where, when and how we respond,” said Likud lawmaker Danny Danon.

Khan al-Ahmar, Danon
Danny Danon visits the Bedouin village Khan al-Ahmar in Judea, Jan. 23, 2023. Photo by Yonatan Sindel/Flash90.

“I think we experienced an unprecedented attack by Iran against Israel. We have no other option but to retaliate. Not retaliating would be irresponsible,” Likud lawmaker and former Israeli ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon told JNS on Sunday.

“In the next few hours, the decision will be made on where, when and how we respond,” he added.

Israel’s War Cabinet is set to convene on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. local time to discuss the country’s response to Saturday night’s Iranian drone and missile attack.

Discussions over an appropriate Israeli response come against the backdrop of American pressure to not retaliate amid fears of a regional war. U.S. President Joe Biden reportedly told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a phone call on Saturday that Washington will not support offensive action against the regime in Tehran.

The War Cabinet has three members—Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Galant and Minister-without-Portfolio Benny Gantz—and three observers: Minister-without-Portfolio Gadi Eizenkot, Shas Party Chairman Aryeh Deri and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer.

“In this political environment, he may be as reliable a supporter as possible that the Democratic caucus would sign off on for the position,” political science scholar Dan Schnur told JNS.
“Anyone who attempts to pose a threat or attack Israel will face devastating consequences,” said Danny Danon, Israeli ambassador to the global body.
“I think they’re much more susceptible to being targeted if a public official wants to target them, if a community wants to target them,” Rep. Josh Gottheimer told JNS.
Israel is building a barrier as part of efforts to bolster border defenses.