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For days, Israel\u2019s closest Western allies have pleaded with the country\u2019s wartime government not to risk igniting a wider war by responding too strongly to Iran\u2019s barrage of missiles and drones last weekend. And on Wednesday, the top diplomats from Germany and Britain delivered that message in person to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem.<\/p>\n
But Mr. Netanyahu emerged from those talks resolute that his country would not bow to any outside pressure when choosing its response. He declared before a cabinet meeting that Israel would \u201cdo everything necessary to defend itself\u201d and warned the allies that \u201cwe will make our own decisions,\u201d according to his office.<\/p>\n
The British foreign secretary, David Cameron, acknowledged just before meeting with the prime minister that Israel was unlikely to heed pleas to turn the other cheek.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is clear that the Israelis are making a decision to act,\u201d Mr. Cameron told the BBC. \u201cWe hope that they do so in a way that does as little to escalate this as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n
The United States, Britain and Germany have been urging Israel to avoid making moves that could increase tension with Iran, which launched around 300 missiles and drones on Saturday night in what was believed to be its first direct attack on Israel. Most of the missiles and drones were shot down before they reached their targets \u2014 thanks in part to the assistance of the United States, Britain, France and Jordan \u2014 and the ones that got through did minimal damage.<\/p>\n
Mr. Netanyahu thanked Israel\u2019s allies for their \u201csupport in words and support in actions\u201d in remarks before a cabinet meeting, according to his office. But he added: \u201cThey also have all kinds of suggestions and advice. I appreciate it, but I want to make it clear \u2014 we will make our own decisions.\u201d<\/p>\n
Iran warned that it would react forcefully to any Israeli aggression, with the army\u2019s commander in chief, Maj. Gen. Abdolrahim Mousavi, saying on Wednesday: \u201cWe will respond with more deadly weapons.\u201d<\/p>\n
Israel\u2019s war cabinet has met several times since the weekend with no apparent decision on when and how to strike back against the attack. Officials are said to be considering a range of options<\/a>, from a direct strike on Iran to a cyberattack or targeted assassinations, trying to send a clear message to Iran while not sparking a major escalation.<\/p>\n \u201cIsrael will respond when it sees fit,\u201d an Israeli official said on Wednesday, adding that it had \u201cmultiple ways\u201d to do so. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter.<\/p>\n Mr. Cameron said that the Group of 7 nations, which includes the United States as well as Britain and Germany, should work together to penalize Iran with sanctions. U.S. and European officials said separately on Tuesday that they were considering placing additional sanctions<\/a> on Tehran that could target its oil revenue and weapons programs.<\/p>\n Before the meetings on Wednesday, the German foreign minister, Annalena Baerbock, said that Iran\u2019s actions had \u201cled an entire region to the brink of the abyss.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe aim now is to stop Iran without further escalation,\u201d she said in a post<\/a> on social media on Tuesday. \u201cIran\u2019s plan to sow further violence must not work.\u201d<\/p>\n Both ministers said they were also visiting to press for a humanitarian cease-fire in Gaza and call attention to the continued captivity of the hostages held there. Iran\u2019s attack has shifted international focus away from the six-month conflict.<\/p>\n Adam Rasgon contributed reporting.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n