Uzi Eilam is a retired brigadier general and the former director of Israel's Atomic Energy Commission. This has got to be one of the most sensitive positions in Israel's defense establishment. For many years, Eilam was privy to top secrets and was one of the most senior and highly regarded experts on Israel's security. A man of many merits, he is the salt of the earth in the full sense of the expression. Yet, all these superlatives do not render men like Eilam infallible, as seen by his May 8 interview with the Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth.

Arguing that Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, was using the Iranian threat for "political goals," he also added that Israeli politicians were busy striking terrible fear in the Israeli public. Wondering whether Iran even "wants the bomb," Eilam topped the tale by arguing that even through a very pessimistic prism, Iran's nuclear project would not be finished to become a deliverable nuclear missile for at least 10 years.

By simply making these assertions, he undercut the mainstays of the entire concept. It is uncertain that Iran wants to turn nuclear, and even if it does, it will happen only in 10 years' time. There's no need to be alarmed. We can all stand at ease.

Let's start then with the good news. Eilam is right in saying that Netanyahu uses the Iranian threat for political purposes. That's a no-brainer and you don't have to be an expert or a retired general to know that. For 20 years, Netanyahu has been clocking mileage on the Iranian ticket. He lives, dreams, eats and breathes the Iranian nuclear issue. His entire calling on earth is to avert Iran's nuclearization, and he has been quite successful in instilling great fear in the Israeli public of that dreadful day when Iran turns nuclear. Netanyahu does enjoy some extenuating circumstances.