Netanyahu Emphasizes the 'Threat of Iranian Military Presence in Syria' Again

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a speech to the Knesset on Monday, November 1, referred to the 'danger' of 'Iranian military presence in Syria' and emphasized that his country will neutralize threats beyond its borders whenever necessary to defend itself and its people. Netanyahu, whose speech was broadcasted by the media in Israel, stated that Israel does not ignore dangers and responds powerfully to them, referencing recent attacks on positions in Syria. According to Netanyahu, 'significant challenges' lie ahead for Israel. He asserted that his country has a 'determined resolve to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons' and added that Israel's efforts have played a role in preventing Iran from achieving this goal so far. Netanyahu described Iran as having a regime that has 'called for the destruction of Israel.' He supported the new U.S. strategy against the Islamic Republic of Iran announced by Donald Trump in recent days and congratulated Trump for not endorsing the JCPOA for the second time in recent days. In recent days, Israel confirmed in two instances that it attacked a Syrian air defense platform and also targets of the Syrian army in the Quneitra region because they had fired towards Israeli fighter jets and airspace. Concurrently with Netanyahu's remarks, Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman also called on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to 'restrain Hezbollah.' Lieberman stated that the artillery shells that landed in Israel in recent days were 'deliberate actions' and a result of Hezbollah's movements in Syria. In recent days, both the Prime Minister and the Defense Minister of Israel, during meetings with the Russian Defense Minister during his visit to Israel and also in meetings with the U.S. Defense Secretary and the National Security Advisor at the White House during Lieberman's trip to Washington, stated that Israel will not 'tolerate' the military approach of Iran and its allies approaching its borders. Isaac Herzog, the leader of the Israeli opposition, who spoke after Netanyahu at the opening session of the new winter Knesset session, severely criticized the Israeli government, accusing Netanyahu of 'zigzagging in policies' regarding Iran. Herzog stated that the Israeli opposition has supported many of the current government's policies concerning Iran, but it seems that the government is not acting transparently on the issue. He accused Netanyahu's government of harming Israel's interests by distancing itself from Barack Obama, the former U.S. president, during the time when nuclear negotiations were ongoing between world powers and Iran. Herzog said that despite all the opposition from Netanyahu's government, the JCPOA was achieved, and now is the time for Israel to clearly state what it wants and to stop 'zigzagging.' Meanwhile, in his speech on Monday at the special Knesset session, Netanyahu implicitly referred positively to ancient Iranian history. He stated that the Balfour Declaration, which established a country for the Jews, which will soon mark its one hundredth anniversary, is of equal importance to the Charter of Cyrus. Cyrus, the Persian king, in his charter, after the Persian Empire's domination over Babylon, allowed the Jews to return to Jerusalem or the Jewish holy city and assisted in their return. This November marks the one hundredth anniversary of the issuance of the Balfour Declaration by the then British Foreign Secretary; a declaration that, by supporting the establishment of a country for the Jews, laid the groundwork for the independence of Israel three decades later. Mahmoud Abbas, the president of the Palestinian Authority, has repeatedly called on Britain to apologize to the Palestinians for the Balfour Declaration. In his speech on Monday in the Knesset, Netanyahu, referring to the national reconciliation agreement among Palestinians between the Fatah and Hamas movements, said that his government seeks 'real peace with the Palestinians, not a fake peace.' Netanyahu added that his government is ready to 'resume negotiations with the Palestinian Authority, provided that Hamas, which seeks the destruction of Israel, is not involved, and this is also the view of the United States.'