Clinton vows 'massive' U.S. retaliation if Iran attacks Israel By Shmuel Rosner, Haaretz Correspondent
Speaking at the Democratic Presidential debate Wednesday, U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton threatened to launch a "massive retaliation" if Iran decided to attack Israel.
"I think that we should be looking to create an umbrella of deterrence that goes much further than just Israel," she responded to a question on this matter. "Of course I would make it clear to the Iranians that an attack on Israel would incur massive retaliation from the United States," the presidential hopeful added.
The Democratic debate was held five days before the crucial primary vote in Pennsylvania, and the two candidates were trying to make a last pitch to the voters. It was a contentious debate, and Clinton's rival, Senator Barak Obama, was getting most of the attention.
Obama fielded tough questions dealing with past controversies, including the one surrounding controversial remarks made by the pastor of the senator's church, Reverend Jeremiah Wright.
On the question of Iran Obama took a softer stance than his rival, saying "I think it is very important that Iran understands that an attack on Israel is an attack on our strongest ally in the region" and that "I would consider an attack unacceptable, and the United States would take appropriate action."