Netanyahu Declares Opposition to Syrian Ceasefire Due to 'Iran's Stabilization Presence'

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, during his visit to Paris after meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, stated that his country is 'strongly opposed' to the recent ceasefire agreement in Syria because it 'strengthens and stabilizes Iran's presence in Syria.' According to Israeli media reports, Netanyahu emphasized that the agreement, which aims to push Iran 20 kilometers away from the Syrian border with Israel, actually makes Iran's presence in Syria permanent. Netanyahu noted that he shared this view with Macron and also informed U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. The ceasefire in southwestern Syria was a result of a meeting on July 16 between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Hamburg, Germany. The ceasefire has been in effect since July 18 along this section of the Syrian border with Israel. Concurrently with Netanyahu's remarks in Paris, Haaretz reported, citing an unnamed senior Israeli official, that the 'very bad' ceasefire agreement does not consider any of Israel's security interests. This official claimed that Iran is planning extensive presence in Syria and intends to deploy more military personnel in addition to advisory forces. The Israeli website Ynet also reported that Iran aims to establish naval and air bases in Syria, and Netanyahu believes this situation 'changes the conditions for Israel.' According to media reports, Macron told Netanyahu that France is 'cautious' regarding the JCPOA, the nuclear agreement made two years ago between the international community and Iran. Macron also stated that France is working to reduce threats to Israel from Hezbollah in Lebanon and 'understands Israel's concerns about these threats.' Meanwhile, Macron urged Netanyahu to 'do everything in his power to advance the peace process with the Palestinians.' The French President emphasized that his country supports Palestinian independence alongside Israel and is 'worried' about Israeli construction in Palestinian territories. Macron also condemned the armed attack last Friday at Al-Aqsa Mosque against Israeli security forces and expressed 'concern' for Israel's security. In the attack on July 23 at Al-Aqsa Mosque, three Arab Israeli citizens unexpectedly opened fire on Israeli security forces stationed in the area, killing two Arab Druze members of the Israeli border police, while the Israelis killed the three attackers. The events at Al-Aqsa Mosque led to the cancellation of Friday prayers and the temporary closure of this important mosque for Muslims, but Israel reopened most of the Al-Aqsa gates on July 25. In a joint press conference in Paris with the French President, Netanyahu supported the expansion of security measures at Al-Aqsa Mosque and East Jerusalem, deeming it necessary for security and stability. Netanyahu also told Macron that 'the root of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is that Palestinians are unwilling to recognize Israel as a Jewish state.' Netanyahu and Macron participated together in the 75th anniversary ceremony of the expulsion of French Jews to Nazi camps. Concurrently with Netanyahu's first meeting with the new French President, hundreds of demonstrators, apparently composed mainly of Arabs and Palestinians living in France, protested against the presence of the Israeli Prime Minister in Paris.