A Failed Preemptive Strike
For the first time in four decades, an Israeli president has made a visit to Latin America. Simon Peres addressed the Brazilian parliament today knowing that archenemy president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s trip to Brazil is in less than two weeks. In a typical Israeli move, Peres carried out a preemptive strike, this time verbal, on Iran’s nuclear program and its military intentions, which he called a global threat, and asked for Brazil to voice its opposition against Iran’s so-called ambitions.
Following comes the commentary by Dr. Mansour Moazzami, Iran’s former ambassador to Brail and Latin American affairs analyst:
I don’t think Peres’ visit to Latin America will give Israelis what they want, that is a united front against Iran and its nuclear program. The Israeli FM Avigdor Lieberman made the same attempt a few months ago but returned to Tel Aviv empty-handed.
The question is what do Israelis want from their frequent visits to Latin America? They are apparently trying to curb Iran’s increasing influence in Latin American countries and introduce themselves as a more profitable alternative. Latin America has attracted the attention of Iran’s diplomatic apparatus during the recent years, particularly since Mr. Ahmadinejad’s presidency, and I believe we are now at the golden period in which we can experience a giant leap in our political and economic ties. Iran may have not fully realized this potential, but it should move towards the optimum level.
With the leftist governments in power in Latin America, I don’t think Israel has a considerable chance to counter Iran’s influence in the region. It may be only in a country like Argentina, where the Zionist lobby is powerful, that Israel may succeed in curbing Iran.
The timing of Peres’ visit to Latin America is interesting since Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is visiting Brazil on November 23rd. Tel Aviv is desperately trying to steal the march on Iran, but with leaders such as Chavez, Morales and Lula its chances seem so gloomy. Israel should wait for longer if it is hopes that the balance in this region tilts towards the Jewish state. The country had enjoyed warm relations with many Latin American countries for long, but the ties are now at low ebb when Venezuela, Bolivia and Nicaragua have entered into a mutual courting.