Israeli residents weary of threat to bomb Iran

Tel Aviv: A recent instalment of the popular Israeli satirical television show A Wonderful Country captured the public mood here regarding a possible strike on Iran and its consequences: a mix of resignation and gallows humour.

In one scene, a house-hunting couple is shown a Tel Aviv apartment facing a drab housing project as a real estate agent proclaims that the place will have a view of the sea.

"In June, that whole row of buildings won't be here any more," she cheerfully informs the prospective buyers, gazing out a window.

"Are they making a park here?" asks the woman viewing the apartment with her husband. "No," chirps the agent, "there's the business with Iran this summer." As if noting a change of seasons, many Israelis are talking about a possible war come summer, or later this year, with an air of inevitability born of years of festering conflict that has periodically flared up into full-blown hostilities.

The prospect of devastating counter-strikes and possible mass casualties seem to be taken in stride, seen as a lesser evil than facing a nuclear-armed Iran.

The wisdom of a strike on Iran has been debated here for months, with current and former security officials as well as political figures arguing over whether such a move would achieve its aims or provoke costly retaliation.