Minister: Not in Israel's interests to attack Syria
Ami Ayalon says current tensions with Damascus stem from an 'unsettled score over the operation in September and the assassination of Imad Mugniyah,' warns explosive atmosphere demands more caution in decision-making process
"There are indeed tensions that stem from unsettled scores over the operation in Septmember and the assassination of Imad Mugniyah," Minister Ami Ayalon said on Saturday at a public event in Beersheba while addressing the current situation with Syria.
The minister said however that media reports indicating Damascus was amassing troops were unsubstantiated.
Ayalon urged the government to exert caution in its decision making due to the sensitive situation on the border. The Syrians, he said, believe Israel has something to gain by attacking them – "when in reality the government has no interest in starting a war."
The minister spoke hours after Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora warned that Israel may take advantage of the nationwide emergency drill in the home front next week to exacerbate tensions on the Israeli-Lebanese border. Siniora pled with UN observers in Lebanon to monitor Israeli activity on the border.
Ayalon also addressed the crisis with Tehran, calling the Iranian threat an existential one that Israel must work together with the international community to counter.
The minister, who once served as commander of the Israeli Navy, said that Israel is expected to increase the number of advanced submarines in its arsenal to five over the next decade in light of the situation with Iran. Three such German-made submarines have already been purchased within the past few years and two others are scheduled to arrive in the near future.
