February 13, 200917 yr From Jane's Iran will be major concern for Israel's new leadership By Alon Ben-David 13 February 2009 Israel's inconclusive parliamentary election risks extending political instability at a critical moment for the country. Whoever is eventually installed as prime minister will look to the defence minister to play a pivotal role on a number of contentious issues - not the least of which is the threat posed by Iran's continued pursuit of nuclear technology. Operating under the premise that Iran will have enough fissile material to become a nuclear power by the end of 2009, whichever Israeli government is eventually installed will watch with great interest as the new US administration works to engage with Tehran. The concern in Israel is that Iran will use the talks to stall any action against its nuclear programme, while continuing to enrich uranium at its facility at Natanz. As JDW went to press, Benjamin Netanyahu looked set to reclaim the office he left a decade ago. He has made no secret of his desire to retain Ehud Barak as defence minister, but he may be forced to choose a replacement on political, rather than strategic, merit. In a narrow right-wing government, Netanyahu is likely to appoint Moshe Ya'alon, former Israel Defence Force (IDF) chief of staff, for the job. If Livni's Kadima joins Netanyahu in a wider centre-right government, that job could go to another former chief of staff: Shaul Mofaz.
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