VOA标准英语2008年-Israel Backs Away From Threat to Attack Iran

By Robert Berger
Jerusalem
08 June 2008

Israel is backing away from a threat to attack Iran. Robert Berger reports from the VOA bureau in Jerusalem.
　

Shaul Mofaz (file photo)

Israeli defense¹ officials have rejected comments by Cabinet Minister Shaul Mofaz, who said last week that an Israeli attack on Iran's nuclear facilities is "unavoidable."

The statement was a factor in a spike² in oil prices by nearly nine percent. Defense sources said such irresponsible statements make it harder for Israel to convince the West to tighten³ sanctions on Iran.

Israel believes Iran is developing nuclear weapons that pose an existential threat, though Iran says its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.

Mofaz's remarks are widely seen as part of a power struggle in Israel's ruling Kadima party. Deputy Defense Minister Matan Vilnai said Mofaz wants to appear tough as he campaigns to become the successor of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who could be toppled by a corruption⁴ scandal.

Vilnai told Israel Radio that it is unacceptable to turn "one of the most strategic security issues into a political game."

There has been broad speculation⁵ about an Israeli pre-emptive strike on Iran since late 2005 when the Iranian president threatened to wipe the Jewish state "off the map."

But Cabinet Minister Rafi Eitan urged Mofaz and others to refrain from saber rattling⁶.

"It is forbidden to talk about these things," he said.

Eitan, a former operative in Israel's Mossad spy agency, says he believes that when it comes to the military option against Iran, the best policy is secrecy⁷.

1 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。

2 spike   

n.长钉，钉鞋；v.以大钉钉牢，使...失效

参考例句：

• The spike pierced the receipts and held them in order.那个钉子穿过那些收据并使之按顺序排列。
• They'll do anything to spike the guns of the opposition.他们会使出各种手段来挫败对手。

3 tighten   

v.(使)变紧；(使)绷紧

参考例句：

• Turn the screw to the right to tighten it.向右转动螺钉把它拧紧。
• Some countries tighten monetary policy to avoid inflation.一些国家实行紧缩银根的货币政策，以避免通货膨胀。

4 corruption   

n.腐败，堕落，贪污

参考例句：

• The people asked the government to hit out against corruption and theft.人民要求政府严惩贪污盗窃。
• The old man reviled against corruption.那老人痛斥了贪污舞弊。

5 speculation   

n.思索，沉思；猜测；投机

参考例句：

• Her mind is occupied with speculation.她的头脑忙于思考。
• There is widespread speculation that he is going to resign.人们普遍推测他要辞职。

6 rattling   

adj. 格格作响的, 活泼的, 很好的 adv. 极其, 很, 非常 动词rattle的现在分词

参考例句：

• This book is a rattling good read. 这是一本非常好的读物。
• At that same instant,a deafening explosion set the windows rattling. 正在这时，一声震耳欲聋的爆炸突然袭来，把窗玻璃震得当当地响。

7 secrecy   

n.秘密，保密，隐蔽

参考例句：

• All the researchers on the project are sworn to secrecy.该项目的所有研究人员都按要求起誓保守秘密。
• Complete secrecy surrounded the meeting.会议在绝对机密的环境中进行。