Netanyahu Supported Military Action Against Syria and Warned Iran

Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, on Saturday evening, April 14, in his first reaction to the attacks by the United States, Britain, and France on Syria, stated that his country firmly supports this action. In a video message, Mr. Netanyahu said, "A year ago, I emphasized that Israel fully supports President Trump's decision to act against the use and development of chemical weapons. The resolute determination of President Trump and Israel's support are still intact." The Israeli Prime Minister added, "Assad must clearly understand that his irresponsible efforts to access and use weapons of mass destruction, his blatant disregard for international law, and allowing Iran and its representatives to establish a military presence in Syria all endanger Syria." Mr. Netanyahu has repeatedly warned that Israel will not allow Iran to have a base in Syria. According to Israeli media, the Prime Minister's statement was issued after the end of the 'Shabbat' (the Jewish holy Saturday). However, earlier, the Prime Minister's office had asked ministers to refrain from commenting on the attack by the three Western powers on Syria. This guideline was announced after reports indicated that some officials in the country were dissatisfied with the limited nature of the attacks by the US and its allies on Syria, stating that these attacks were less than what Israel had expected. Before the Prime Minister's office issued the directive for ministers to 'remain silent,' Yoav Galant, Israel's Housing Minister and a former general in the Israeli army, tweeted that the attack by the US and its allies on Syria was "a warning message to the axis of evil; Iran and Hezbollah." Israeli media reported that the US had informed Israel in advance about the attack plans. Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Thursday that his country is not involved in the upcoming Western attacks on Syria as Israel only pursues its 'specific' targets in Syria and will take necessary actions whenever required. Despite Israel's silence, Russia stated that Israel was responsible for the attack on the T-4 airbase in Homs province, Syria, early Monday. In that attack, at least seven Iranian military personnel were killed, and their bodies were returned to Iran and buried in recent days. The Syrian crisis in relation to Iran has intensified the verbal clashes between Iran and Israel. Ali Akbar Velayati, an advisor to the Iranian leader on international affairs, who was in Damascus last week, stated that Israel's 'crime' will 'certainly not go unanswered.' However, according to the Jerusalem Post, Israel responded on Wednesday that if Iran or its allies attack Israel from Syria or Lebanon, Israel will finish off the Assad regime and destroy Assad himself. Ali Shirazi, representative of the Supreme Leader in the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, responded on Thursday, saying, "If Israel acts foolishly, Tel Aviv and Haifa will be leveled to the ground." On Friday, Israel announced that the Iranian drone that infiltrated Israel from Syrian airspace on February 10 last year had a 'combat mission' and was sent for a 'suicide attack' against a military target in Israel. In this context, the UN Security Council rejected a Russian-proposed resolution condemning the attack on Syria. The Pentagon stated that the attacks on Syria would set back Damascus's chemical weapons program by years. The Iranian leader called the missile attack by the three Western countries on Syria a 'crime.' The European Union urged Russia and Iran to cooperate to stop chemical attacks in Syria.