By Isabel Kershner, New York Times, August 16/17, 2012

JERUSALEM — Shimon Peres, Israel’s president and elder statesman, spoke out Thursday against the prospect of a lone Israeli military strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities, a message that contradicts the hawkish, go-it-alone line emanating from the offices of Israel’s prime minister and defense minister [....]

“Now, it is clear to us that we cannot do it alone,” Mr. Peres told Israel’s Channel 2 television in an interview marking his 89th birthday. “We can delay,” he said, referring to the partial damage that Israel’s military could do to the Iranian nuclear program, adding: “It is clear to us that we have to proceed together with America. There are questions about coordination and timing, but as serious as the danger is, this time at least we are not alone.” [....]

The interview was broadcast hours after Mr. Barak told the Israeli Parliament that the risks and complications of dealing with Iran today would be less dangerous and less costly than dealing later with a nuclear Iran [....]

The internal Israeli debate on Iran, once conducted in whispers, has become increasingly shrill.  Shaul Mofaz, a former defense minister and military chief of staff who now leads the opposition in Parliament, accused Mr. Netanyahu on Thursday of “sowing panic” over Iran, of being led by Mr. Barak and of following a “dangerous and irresponsible policy.” [....]