Iranian general: Israeli cancer will be destroyed by Hezbollah “radiation”
posted at 11:40 am on February 18, 2008 by Allahpundit
Colorful metaphor or a little wink-wink nudge-nudge about the form the reprisal for Mughniyeh will take?
General Mohammad Ali Jaafari, commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, has sent a letter of condolence to Hizbullah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah following the assassination of the organization’s senior commander Imad Mugniyah, saying he believed “the cancerous bacterium called Israel” would vanish soon, the Iranian news agency Fars reported Monday.
According to Jaafari, “I am convinced that with every day that passes Hizbullah’s power increases, and in the near future we will bear witness to the disappearance of this cancerous bacterium, Israel, by the radiation of Hizbullah’s fighters.”
Israel’s already deploying Patriot batteries to the north, although a Kuwaiti paper alleges the Iranian/Hezbo response will focus on assassinating Israeli leaders, not mass attacks against civilians. Meanwhile, Debka thinks the unthinkable as only Debka can: Could Mughniyeh have faked his death? He eluded intelligence services for 20 years and wasn’t above plastic surgery to change his appearance; a grand ruse would be par for the course. It’d also explain how his killers managed to penetrate such tight security, in Damascus no less (answer: they didn’t), and why the accounts of the hit don’t quite add up. Eyewitnesses told WaPo that he was blown 15 feet into the entrance of a nearby building; the Times of London said he was done in by a bomb planted in the car’s headrest, which somehow managed not to blow his head clean off; yet another version says the bomb wasn’t in his car at all but in the car next to him. Possible/plausible? Seems a little too Truthery/Debka-y for me, especially in the absence of a motive. Why now? Why not 10 years ago? If someone’s looking for a pretext to hit Israel (and again, why now?), surely there are less elaborate ways than a fake death and state funeral. Besides, if it’s a ruse, Mossad would doubtless already know by now. Why not announce it and deny Mughniyeh the opportunity in the future to make his dramatic return, in much the same way the U.S. insists Bin Laden’s alive?
Exit recommendation: If you want something more plausible from Debka, read this.
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Iran is tipping it’s hand and it’s plan. Smuggle a suitcase bomb to Hezbollah, and hope the world is too scared to escalate by blaming Iran.
Ordinary1 on February 18, 2008 at 11:45 AM
No, I was thinking more along the lines of a dirty bomb.
Allahpundit on February 18, 2008 at 11:46 AM
Suitcase bombs require quite a bit of maintaining to remain viable. IIRC, they use Polonium triggers with a six month half life, meaning the triggers have to be replaced regularly or bomb no go boom. Doesn’t make it impossible, but it’s an unlikely scenario given they were manufactured years ago (assuming it’s one from the russian stockpile).
I wouldn’t put anything past them, but isn’t that like threatening someone with a BB gun when they’re holding a loaded glock?
trubble on February 18, 2008 at 11:57 AM
Wow, your exit read recommendation is way interesting. If I had hatches, I’d batten them down. This could get ugly.
I guess a dirty bomb would be even harder to trace to Iran.
Ordinary1 on February 18, 2008 at 11:57 AM
Radiation? Assassinations? Two great taste that go great together if Hizbullah learns some tricks from Putin and the formed KGB. Poisoning Israel leaders with isotopes does two things: kills Israeli leaders and demonstrates that Hezbullah (and their Iranian and Syrian masters) are far more technically savvy and sinister than we think. Even if the assassination attempts fails the targets will face long-term illness and disfigurement, and a strong dose could make the target a sort of Radiation Mary, spreading toxic levels to their wives, kids, and co-workers. A win-win-win from Hezbullah’s point of view.
Vote Sauron 08 on February 18, 2008 at 12:00 PM
Pseudocide?
Kini on February 18, 2008 at 12:01 PM
In every debate I’ve had with a liberal, I always tell them to just take a cursory glance at the rhetoric that comes from Iranian leaders like Ahmadenijad.
They still say it’s America doing the saber-rattling.
amkun on February 18, 2008 at 12:02 PM
Did you just coin that? If so, good job :)
LimeyGeek on February 18, 2008 at 12:07 PM
Is still the question of Iraqi WMDs maybe being in the syria that could be used.
William Amos on February 18, 2008 at 12:10 PM
If Israel’s going to make a strike, they best not hesitate too long. Whatever USA support they may have now will be lost when the radical, Israeli-hating lefties take over.
petefrt on February 18, 2008 at 12:22 PM
Meanwhile, Iran is acquiring the technology to build nuclear weapons, already has the technology to put together a dirty bomb, and our friends in the UN aren’t doing anything to stop them.
I’ve read pretty convincing arguments that the dirty bomb isn’t good for much beyond inciting panic, and the Israelis don’t strike me as easily panicked people. So that’s the good news. If Iran gets an actual nuclear weapon, though, god help us all.
RightOFLeft on February 18, 2008 at 12:29 PM
Yeah, Iran has a rhetorical tradition of being prepared to fight Israel to the last Lebanese.
crosspatch on February 18, 2008 at 12:48 PM
I think it’s about time Israel considers expanding it’s borders.
DfDeportation on February 18, 2008 at 12:51 PM
The question is, will Israel wait until that “bb” is fired first because even a “bb’ can cause harm.
Yakko77 on February 18, 2008 at 12:55 PM
This is nothing less than a direct threat to nuke the Jews. I wish someone would publically ask Obama about this since his policy is to allow Iran to go nuclear.
georgealbert on February 18, 2008 at 1:12 PM
The Orcs should stay quiet until Mubarack gets elected. But the Orcs will behave like Orks I suppose.
BL@KBIRD on February 18, 2008 at 1:25 PM
not k, ok, but c, see?
BL@KBIRD on February 18, 2008 at 1:26 PM
Israelis seem to be one resilient bunch of folks. I have confidence in their mettle.
I do wonder about the arguments you reference. Although the spectre of dirty bombs may well (justifiably) scare people, they are damned effective at polluting important aspects of infrastructure – water and food supplies are the most obvious. Impacting these two alone could cripple a national economy.
LimeyGeek on February 18, 2008 at 1:31 PM
He won’t be asked because he is a media darling and they don’t want the US public to know that he and his views are closely aligned with his radical muslim family in Kenya; so much so that he took time away from the close primary in NH to consult with the on a daily basis.
And, if recent musings about riots at the DNC should B. Hussein not get the nod trouble you, just be happy you don’t live in Kenya, where his family burned Christian churches when they weren’t happy with election results.
We truly are edging closer to looking like every other 3rd world cesspool.
Alden Pyle on February 18, 2008 at 1:31 PM
Is it wrong to hope the carrier trips and falls down the stairs when leaving his apartment in Damascus for the mission?
Dusty on February 18, 2008 at 1:46 PM
truth is Israel is ready to strike and has plans in place. Its the US that is holding the country back from a preemptive attack against Iran
offroadaz on February 18, 2008 at 1:49 PM
I am increasingly skeptical of the fears of Iran. Yes, they’re crazy, but no, they’re not stupid. And I suspect that any form of radiation bomb in the middle east becomes their albatross, resulting in a magnificent amount of death and destruction in the form of a nuclear attack.
I don’t think even the the mullahs are that stupid. This deterrent kept a generation of Soviet kooks under control.
As for a Imawhackjobinadinnerjacket, I am also increasingly convinced that he doesn’t even control his own bowel movements.
Jaibones on February 18, 2008 at 1:49 PM
For clarity: a magnificent amount of death and destruction in the form of a nuclear attack upon Iran.
Jaibones on February 18, 2008 at 1:50 PM
Why didn’t we squash that midget moron? Oh yeah, I call it liberal retardation
HotAirExpert on February 18, 2008 at 1:52 PM
Second look at “Bomb, bomb, bomb…bomb bomb Iran McCain?”
kcd on February 18, 2008 at 1:58 PM
[Jaibones on February 18, 2008 at 1:49 PM]
The Soviets were kooks. They also didn’t look upon themselves as martyrs for their cause. I think those make a big difference when comparing the two situations.
Dusty on February 18, 2008 at 1:58 PM
Whoops –> The Soviet weren’t kooks.
Dusty on February 18, 2008 at 1:59 PM
I think so too. I have never understood the USA when it comes to Israel. I’m glad we support them, dont get me wrong, but we are always discouraging them from protecting their own people! How many Israelis have to die from these evil people, before the US says, go for it, we’ve got your back?
kcd on February 18, 2008 at 2:03 PM
I’m not so certain that Israel would respond to a dirty bomb with a nuclear bomb.
They have done everything possible (including suffering greater casualties on their own side) to limit civilian casualties in every conflict that they’ve had with their neighbors.
I don’t see them saying, “Wait! This bomb had radioactive material in it? Well, the gloves are coming off now.”
There is an extremely strong peace movement in Israel that has a good chunk of the population convinced that everything will be fine and dandy as long as they give up any land that is considered disputed and apologize for existing.
In all honesty, the half-assed effort they did in Lebanon after their soldiers were seized is the most resounding effort I can see them making in their current political/social climate.
JadeNYU on February 18, 2008 at 2:04 PM
The idea of a ‘dirty bomb’ is bogus from the beginning. If you want to contaminate an area with radioactive material, there is no need to explode anything. Just spread the radioactive material around. No one would even know you had done so, until people start getting sick.
If you are trying to make the case that a ‘dirty bomb’ is a terror weapon, the only case you are making is the news media’s general ignorance about anything scientific. Compounded by the general publics poor grounding in high school physics.
What would be more effective? The discovery that people injured in the latest car bomb attack were contaminated with radioactive material, or an increasing number of people from the same area exhibiting symptoms of radiation poisoning for no apparent reason, and the sudden panicked evacuation?
Iran and hezblowhard are ‘messin with your head, dude’.
rockhauler on February 18, 2008 at 2:11 PM
OMG! Did all the dimacrats move to Israel?
kcd on February 18, 2008 at 2:13 PM
I think your right. Did I read somewhere that if you “explode” the material, it actually makes it less effective?
kcd on February 18, 2008 at 2:15 PM
Dunno about the ‘just spread it’ part. Seems like an exploding ‘terror’ weapon sure makes a much bigger headline then a ‘where did this come from’ headline.
Limerick on February 18, 2008 at 2:21 PM
[rockhauler on February 18, 2008 at 2:11 PM]
I’m not so sure that would be possible. I’d be surprised if the Israeli’s didn’t use radiation monitors all over the country and along the border.
Dusty on February 18, 2008 at 2:24 PM
Interesting, that observation. I wonder, what makes you think that? I mean, unless you mean that they actually greased the guy, which they probably did. But let’s just say it was a ruse, and I’m not saying that.
DMeNTe on February 18, 2008 at 2:56 PM
Oh, and the radiation comment, I don’t know, but I’m thinking metaphor. Everyone knows them people don’t have shit. Israel on the other hand, well…
DMeNTe on February 18, 2008 at 2:59 PM
Oh, and the radiation comment, I don’t know, but I’m thinking metaphor. Everyone knows them people don’t have shit. Israel on the other hand, well…
DMeNTe on February 18, 2008 at 2:59 PM
Well then, they didn’t pay attention to what happened to Saddam when he said he had sh%t and really didn’t : )
kcd on February 18, 2008 at 3:06 PM
That would depend on how it was played. It is the newsies job to sensationalize everything. Otherwise it wouldn’t be news.
Which is why I don’t put much trust in news headlines.
rockhauler on February 18, 2008 at 3:20 PM
Searching for something to support my position I stumbled into this year old account in the Times of London, that I don’t remember reading anywhere else.
No one was injured, no one was contaminated.
rockhauler on February 18, 2008 at 3:29 PM
Ok, here is another one from 8 years ago, and I do remember hearing about it. Three people were critically exposed, and they were standing right next to the container when an ‘unplanned nuclear reaction occurred’.
So what are the effects of a ‘dirty bomb’? Blast effect, shrapnel, flash burns. What steps do you take when assisting the injured?
1. Check for breathing.
2. Control the bleeding.
3. Treat for shock
4. Stablize and transport.
So at the hospital, they are treating the injured and discover that the debris being removed from the injured is radioactive, and they add that to the list of complicating factors that determine the best treatment.
Discovering the presence of radioactivity at the scene complicates the clean up, nothing more.
So this whole radiation bogeyman is something to scare little children and the poorly educated.
Am I comming accross as too harsh, to inconsiderate? I can’t tell, not being a caring person, and all.
Iran, hezblowhard, syria, making threats? Pffft!
rockhauler on February 18, 2008 at 3:56 PM
If the bomb was in the driver’s seat headrest, and dude was outside the vehicle walking towards it, as if to open the door and get in (as one version of the story goes), but he still remained outside the car, the bomb blast wouldnt take his head off the way it probably would if he was sitting in the driver’s seat.
Interesting, too about the car bombing of the lead Hariri investigator right before the Hague tribunal starts.
It won’t shock or offend me if the Israelis took this guy out.
Mike D. on February 18, 2008 at 4:24 PM
The President of Iran was wondering who to invade when his telephone rang.
“This is Mendel in Tel Aviv. We’re officially declaring war on you!”
“How big is your army?” the president asked.
“There’s me, my cousin Moishe, and our pinochle team!”
“I have a million in my army,” said the president.
“I’ll call back!” said Mendel.
The next day he called. “The war’s still on! We have now a bulldozer, Goldblatt’s tractor. Plus the canasta team!”
“I have 16,000 tanks, and my army is now two million.”
“Oy gevalt!”, said Mendel. “I’ll call back.”
He phoned the next day. “We’re calling off the war.”
“Why?”, asked the president.
“Well,” said Mendel, “we’ve all had a little chat, and there’s no way we can feed two million prisoners.”
aunursa on February 18, 2008 at 4:40 PM
RE: dirty bomb
I believe Saint Louis University to be a reliable source, and has published a .pdf file titled “Radiological Terrorism fact sheet”.
rockhauler on February 18, 2008 at 5:34 PM
The entire Iranian leadership reminds me of a pimple on a fat mans a$$ in August.
Annoying and painful but will go away after you squeeze the puss out.
Sorry, I hope that doesn’t upset anyone’s dinner plans.
leanright on February 18, 2008 at 7:08 PM
I am sorry, that was just wrong.
leanright on February 19, 2008 at 5:22 AM