Special Cabinet Meeting in Israel to Discuss Iran's Presence in Syria

An Israeli minister stated that the government of Israel held a special meeting to discuss ways to prevent Syria from becoming a military base for Iran. Simultaneously, a Swiss publication reported on 'advanced cooperation between Israel and Saudi Arabia against Iran's presence in the region.' Yuval Steinitz, Israel's Energy Minister, told the Ynet news site that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government held a special meeting on Sunday, January 7, with the participation of ministers from sensitive posts and senior intelligence and security officials, known as the political-security cabinet. Steinitz added, 'Our concern about the stabilization of Iran's military presence in Syria is no secret; Israel, led by Benjamin Netanyahu, aims to prevent Iran's presence in Syria.' The Israeli minister further stated, 'We do not want to see Iranian air bases or divisions of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in Syria.' In recent months, Israel has confirmed some airstrikes attributed to it in Syria, primarily aimed at preventing the transfer of weapons to Hezbollah in Lebanon. Syria also confirmed attacks such as the missile strike on a military base in the outskirts of Damascus, which had previously been identified as an Iranian base under construction; however, both Israel and Iran remained silent regarding the attack on this base. Iran claims to have a 'consultative presence' in Syria at the invitation of Bashar al-Assad's government during the Syrian civil war; Syria has recently expressed gratitude for the assistance from Russia, Iran, and Hezbollah as the country has experienced relative calm. However, Israeli leaders have recently stated that with the relative calming of the situation in Syria, Iran's plan is to 'stabilize' its military presence in Syria with the aim of 'threatening Israel.' According to Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman, Iran's plan involves bringing Shiite militias from various countries to Syria to open 'a new front' against Israel. Israeli Channel 10 reported on January 7 that the country's cabinet had held 'multiple meetings' in recent days to assess the situation on the 'northern front,' focusing on the status of Syria after the end of its civil war and the military reassertion of Bashar al-Assad's army over vast areas of Syrian territory. Concurrently, the German-language newspaper 'Basler Zeitung' published in Switzerland on January 8 reported on 'advanced cooperation' between Israel and Saudi Arabia, describing this cooperation as a 'secret pact' to 'prevent Iranian intervention in the region.' 'Basler Zeitung,' citing its sources from Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, noted that despite the lack of official relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia, increasing military cooperation between the two countries is underway to counter Iran. This Swiss publication's report, which was also reflected in Israeli media, added that Saudi Arabia is also considering purchasing weapons and some defense systems made by Israel, including to counter missiles launched towards Saudi territory by Iranian-allied Houthi rebels. According to 'Basler,' Israeli and Saudi intelligence officials, including three months ago in October, discussed U.S. policy regarding the region during a meeting. Gadi Eisenkot, the Chief of Staff of the Israeli Army, stated two months ago in his first interview with the Saudi website Elaph, 'Israel is ready to cooperate with Saudi Arabia to counter Iran'; he noted that 'together with U.S. President Donald Trump, an opportunity has arisen to form a new international coalition in the region.' Eisenkot added, 'A large and comprehensive strategy must be operationalized to prevent the Iranian threat; Iran's plan is to dominate the region through two Shiite crescents: one from Iran to Iraq to Syria and Lebanon, and the other from the Persian Gulf to Yemen and the waters of the Red Sea; it is in the interest of Israel and Saudi Arabia to prevent the realization of this Iranian goal.' Israel and Saudi Arabia have not responded to the Swiss publication's report; Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir has recently emphasized several times that his country will not recognize Israel until a Palestinian state is established.