Navy quits sending ships through Suez

ARIEH O'SULLIVAN. Navy quits sending ships through Suez: http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1132475713712&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

The Israel Navy has decided to cease sending its warships through the Suez Canal, out of concern they will be targeted by global jihad terrorists, The Jerusalem Post has learned.

"We don't want to draw terror," said a senior naval officer in explaining the move.

But the decision by the navy should be a warning for Egypt, another analyst said.
"The question is, what does it say about our confidence in the Egyptian security services?" asked Michael Oren, author of Six Days of War and senior fellow at Jerusalem's Shalem Center.
Another issue relates to one of Israel's most important strategic weapons - its three Dolphin-class submarines, which according to foreign reports can fire nuclear-tipped cruise missiles and serve as a second-strike platform.

It could prove problematic for Israel to dispatch them to the Gulf of Oman against Iran. The only way they could get there without need for refueling would be to go through the Suez Canal. With their 4,500 nautical mile range, taking the long way around Africa would require at least two stops for refueling at a friendly port or for fuel to be replenished at sea.
However, Goodman doesn't believe the navy would likely, even then, risk sending a valuable submarine through Egyptian waters.

Misfired propaganda or something. The Israeli Navy will do whatever seems expedient anytime it chooses, and it certainly would not prattle about it in public beforehand for any sensible military reason.

"Greek Navy threatens never to use the Hellespont again, fearing terrorism."

the movement if they went through the canal.

Are we heading to Iran or Syria? The direction of ships through the canal would be a tip off.

edit: typo

Isn't the usual thing to keep one's operational plans secret?

US Navy NOT going through the canal.

You seem to think making a public stink is the default action if you decide not to do something. Are they warning somebody? Is this a petulant rebuke? Why would anybody care if they plan to go through Suez or not? I understand the reasons why they might not, but I don't see why you need a press release. Militarily speaking, I'd rather keep my options open, not give the enemy any clues, play my cards close to my vest, see?

Looks like their generic permanent hystreria. In fact, refueling subs is no big deal. They can use pre-deployed tankers for this purpose.

But that makes no sense either.

The speculations I have read about how to attack Iran generally centered on long range aircraft, either flying around the Arabia peninsula with mid-air refueling, or getting consent for overflight from Iraq & Jordan. Still a dumb idea.

I would not want to be in any sort of vessel in the Gulf during hostilities. Subs in the Gulf to attack Iran would not stand a good chance of getting home.

They are sitting ducks for about 24 hours. We had an Aegis class cruiser right behind us for protection, but if someone wanted to fire off a few rockets or missiles, that could be easily done.