MK Eitam: Iran in Israel's backyard
Members of Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee tour northern border, express concerns about cooperation between Hizbullah, enemy states
Members of the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committees conducted a tour of the northern border, and heard briefings by Deputy Chief of Staff Major General Moshe Kaplinsky and Northern Command Chief Udi Adam on the security situation in the IDF's arena against Lebanon and Syria, Hizbullah's activities, and the ongoing threat to kidnaps soldiers or civilians along the border.
Limor Livnat and Tzachi Hanegbi in north (Photo: Avihu Shapira)
For some of the members, it was their first opportunity to view from up close the missions and challenges facing the IDF in the coming period.
Knesset Member Effie Eitam, of the National Union-NRP party, addressed the link between Hizbullah, Syria, and Iran, saying: "Iran is already here, in the State of Israel's backyard, and when we weigh our relations with them and with Hizbullah, we must realize that this not simply a lone terror organization, but the creation of a significant system. Hizbullah is receiving a lot of money and arms through Syria, and the Iranian involvement is deep."
Members of the committee tour the northern border (Photo: Avihu Shapira)
Knesset Member Ran Cohen (Meretz) spoke about what the Lebanese government has termed 'the uncovering of a spying cell working for Israel."
"The forces involved in the internal Lebanese struggle are trying to cause Israel to enter a military conflict. All provocations and attempts to drag Israel into the Lebanese whirlpool will cause much blood-letting on both sides. The safeguarding of calm as a goal of the Northern Command is the most correct course for this time," said Cohen.
The committee's Chairman, Knesset Member Tzachi Hanegbi (Kadima), discussed recent reports on the possibility of returning the Shebaa Farms to Lebanon.
"There is currently a division between Syria and Lebanon on marking the border between them. There is agreement on the matter. As far as I know, the issue of the Sheba farms is on the government's table, and has not yet been the topic of an in depth meeting in the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee," said Hanegbi.
