Netanyahu: Israel won't allow Iran to establish itself militarily in Syria

[Insight]

Netanyahu: Israel won’t allow Iran to establish itself militarily in Syria – World Tribune: Window on the Real World

Netanyahu: Israel won’t allow Iran to establish itself militarily in Syria

By World Tribune on November 11, 2016




by WorldTribune Staff, November 11, 2016
Israel will not allow Iran to establish a military foothold in Syria “on the ground, in the air or at sea,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a meeting with Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev on Nov. 10.
Israel will also continue to intervene in Iran’s effort to arm Hizbullah and other Shi’ite militias in Syria, Netanyahu told Medvedev during their meeting in Jerusalem.

Netanyahu said Israel would “first, prevent Iran from achieving nuclear weapons and second, prevent Iran — in any situation that arises in Syria, with or without an agreement — from establishing itself militarily in Syria.”
Moscow, a staunch supporter of Syrian President Bashar Assad which has also maintained close ties with Iran, has in recent months increased cooperation with Israel to prevent the Russian and Israeli militaries from clashing over Syrian skies.
“Israel, Russia, the United States and many other countries share the objective of defeating the Islamic State,” Netanyahu said. “At the same time, we are also concerned by the second actor promoting radical Islam — Iran — which champions the destruction of Israel and also supports 360-degree terror on five continents.”
Medvedev hailed the improvement in Israeli-Russian relations and stressed the “special values” that Russians and Israelis have in common. “Every time I visit Israel I feel at home,” he said. “Our countries have common challenges, primarily terrorism. Terror threatens the entire world but in this region it is felt particularly strongly.”

[Insight]

Israel will not allow Iran to establish a military foothold in Syria “on the ground, in the air or at sea,” Israel will also continue to intervene in Iran’s effort to arm Hizbullah and other Shi’ite militias in Syria


“At the same time, we are also concerned by the second actor promoting radical Islam — Iran — which champions the destruction of Israel and also supports 360-degree terror on five continents.”

[Insight]

This is a major development for the region. I think Israel has got buy in from KSA and Turkey, and this appears to be the fruit of those understandings. If there is any nation whose word is worth it's weight, it is Israel's. Israel is openly defying the US policy that Obama put in place and that Trump may continue regarding Syria.

In short, Israel is putting Russia on notice that Israel will be fully engaged in Syria fighting Iran and it's allies which would mean Assad and Hezbollah, and "other Shiite militias" which essentially means Israel is in de facto alliance with the Syrian opposition. I doubt Russia will stand and risk confrontation with Israel to which they have a lot of economic ties. This means Israel will hit Iran wherever in Syria, and by consequence Assad regime and his Shiite militia allies. It will be a huge turn of events because 1) it will put to shame both Turkey and KSA for doing nothing and 2) it will hasten the end of the conflict. The Syrian opposition will be able to take full advantage of Israeli military airstrikes against Iran-Assad axis in Syria which obviously will be coordinated. This is the beginning of an Israeli-Turkish-Saudi alliance.


This is Israel's strategic response to Trump's election which they feel must have put Putin at ease.

Now, Trump unlike Obama will have no problem with whatever policy Israel chooses in Syria even if it conflicts with his stated one.

[Shapur]

Isreal is screwed either way. ISIS/Al Nusra and Hezbollah, want its total destruction. The best case scenario for Isreal is if there is someone like Sisi of Egypt in charge of Syria after the war.

[DSM0305]

Isreal is screwed either way. ISIS/Al Nusra and Hezbollah, want its total destruction. The best case scenario for Isreal is if there is someone like Sisi of Egypt in charge of Syria after the war.

None of the militant group, holds any military strength to challenge Israeli military power. The status que is benefiting Israel, because it prevent a strong stable stat to face Israel in the future, if thinks turns ugly. Right now, whoever wins, they wont have the economy or the military power to face the stat of Israel. Now the question isn't about whether Israel is in danger, but whether Israel want a Shia militants or Sunni militants at their throat. And in this statement, he was clear that Iranian backed militants are far more annoyance to Israel than Sunni militants.
This is also the reason why Iran's nuclear program is in the top of their list, because that the only danger they face right now.

One thing is for certain. This situation will benefit Afghanistan, because Iranians would be cornered and wont have the luxury to have a bad relation with Afghanistan.

[Insight]

None of the militant group, holds any military strength to challenge Israeli military power. The status que is benefiting Israel, because it prevent a strong stable stat to face Israel in the future, if thinks turns ugly. Right now, whoever wins, they wont have the economy or the military power to face the stat of Israel. Now the question isn't about whether Israel is in danger, but whether Israel want a Shia militants or Sunni militants at their throat. And in this statement, he was clear that Iranian backed militants are far more annoyance to Israel than Sunni militants.
This is also the reason why Iran's nuclear program is in the top of their list, because that the only danger they face right now.

One thing is for certain. This situation will benefit Afghanistan, because Iranians would be cornered and wont have the luxury to have a bad relation with Afghanistan.

I agree with most of what you say except the exact reasons. There is obviously a strategic messaging going on here especially considering the fact that Netanyahu's statement was made a day after Trump said he would not attack Assad and would end support for the Syrian rebels (not much US support existed anyways).


The timing of this announcement in a joint conference with Russian PM Medvedev was directed at Russia and the US- Israel is going to get involved in Syria more heavily and will be conducting airstrikes on Iran and it's allies in Syria (meaning Assad too- that is the takeaway message to Putin). He went on further to say regardless of whether there is an "agreement" (to end the war) or not. Russia will have no choice but to watch as Israel carries out its objective which pretty much opposed and nullifies Russia's objective in supporting Iran and Assad. Rather unusual conflict, but Russia will not go to war with Israel for Iran or Assad.


A lot of factors are behind Israel's decision, one of them is their alliance with Saudi Arabia and Turkey (and much of the Sunni world) which has become more open in this past year. These articles below will help you understand it more.

US concerned as Saudi Arabia, Israel team up against common foe Iran | Asia Times

Israel and Saudi Arabia: Facing Iran and Obama Together - Middle East - News -

I believe a result of a Turkish-Israel-Saudi alliance will be the resolution of the Palestinian statehood issue, integration of Israel as part of a Sunni federation. The first part of this alliance will be to remove Assad from power and the Iranian presence from Syria. Along with this will go Russia. The last time Russia faced Israel, Israel wiped out their whole air force (Read Operation Rimon). Whatever your opinion is on Israel, you have to admit for it's size it is probably the most strategically powerful nation in the world in my opinion.