“We’re in a critical year”, Defense Minister Ehud Barak said on Wednesday, stating Iran must be stopped and an agreement with the Palestinians needs to be reached.

Speaking to military reporters, Barak said he was pleased Israel had convinced the world that Iranian nuclear capability wasn’t only an Israeli problem, but added that sanctions probably wouldn’t stop the process. 2012 will be a crucial year, he stated.

Israel is waiting to see the results of the upcoming meeting between Iran and the world powers before taking action, he said, “It’s not a matter of weeks, but also not a matter of years.”

“There are signs of growing unrest among Palestinians in the West Bank,” Barak said, explaining that maintaining the relative quiet also depends on Israel and its willingness to aid the Palestinian Authority. Israel has “a strategic interest” in establishing two states for two nations, he said, adding that the development of infrastructure is important to the process.

Barak also addressed the situation along Israel’s borders with Lebanon and Gaza, saying Israel was still developing and upgrading the Iron Dome anti-missile system, and that the US would aid the process. He also explained that Hezbollah were deterred at the moment, knowing that if they attacked Israeli cities the retaliation would include targeting of Lebanese infrastructure. (© 2012 THE TIMES OF ISRAEL 04/05/12)