Israel has right to defend itself in ‘proportional way’: Bill Blair [Video]

Defence Minister Bill Blair says Israel has the right to defend itself in “a calibrated and proportional way” following Iran’s ballistic missile attack against Israel on Tuesday.

“I think (retaliation) needs to be carefully considered because that isn’t the purpose of military response from Israel, but rather to diminish Iran’s ability to continue to attack them,” Blair said in an interview with CTV Power Play host Vassy Kapelos on Thursday.

When it comes to the extent of the retaliation, Blair said Israel has a right “to knock those missiles down from the sky” and “target the source of those missiles.”

But when asked by Kapelos if those targets include Iran’s oil infrastructure or nuclear facilities, Blair said “no.”

“Frankly, we’re not endorsing and supporting retaliation against other targets,” Blair said. “Only at those targets that might be necessary for Israel to defend itself against further attack.”

On Thursday, U.S. President …