UF professor can talk about Israel-Iran situation

February 16, 2012

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — A University of Florida faculty member who specializes in Middle East politics is available to talk about the growing tension between Israel and Iran.

Patricia J. Woods, an associate professor of political science and Jewish studies, said Iran is surrounded by countries with nuclear capabilities and sees nuclear technology as essential to its national security.

“Will it use nuclear power for civilian means? Probably not,” Woods said. “Is Iran going to back down and stop building this facility? Probably not. The question is whether the U.S. and Israel will back down.”

Iran and Israel have recently exchanged threats. Iran has issued calls for Israel’s destruction, and Israel has raised the idea of a preventative strike.

“I have no idea how it will play out,” Woods said. “I can say it is a very tense moment.”

For years, Iran has tried to develop nuclear capability, which leaders claim would be used for civilian technology such as electricity, Woods said. Israel has never bought that argument, and believes Iran is using the technology to build nuclear weapons.

“Iran’s plan to put a nuclear facility in a bunker out of reach is something that is not going to be acceptable to Israel,” she said.

Woods may be reached at 352-273-2370 or pjwoods@ufl.edu.

For more on her background:
http://www.polisci.ufl.edu/faculty/bios/woodsp.html.