Netanyahu warns of 'strong Israeli response' if attacked by Syria
PM, Israeli top brass hold special meeting on Syria issue, on eve of Western strike against Assad. 'Israel is prepared for every scenario,' Netanyahu says
Against the background of an impending Western strike in Syria, the Israeli Defense Ministry held a special meeting in Tel Aviv with the participation of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon, Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Benny Gantz and an array of top IDF officers.
"The State of Israel is prepared for every scenario," Netanyahu said after the meeting. "We're not part of the Syrian civil war, but if we'll spot an attempt to harm us we'll respond with great force."
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Ynet analyst Ron Ben-Yishai noted on Monday night that President Obama has already coordinated in principle the formation of an international coalition in talks with world leaders, and currently talks have proceeded to the operational level.
The United States, Britain and apparently also France and Turkey are in the process of getting the green light from their various government branches for the strike and for future plans.
Overnight, chairman of Israel's National Security Council Yaakov Amidror met in the White House with US national security adviser Susan Rice. Head of the Planning Branch, Maj. Gen. Nimrod Shefer is also in Washington as part of a defense establishment delegation. In a meeting with his American counterparts in the Pentagon they discussed different developments and scenarios which might affect Israel should Syria indeed be attacked.
According to Israeli forecasts, the US will alert Israel before an operation. In the mean time, the IDF raised the alertness levels in northern Israel.
The defense establishment is considering every scenario, including a moderate Syrian retaliation, possibly without direct involvement, in the form of rocket fire or an attack at the border.
Yoav Zitun contributed to this report
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