Lieberman: 100,000 massacred in Syria, world talks

MK blasts West's inaction, says Syrian war 'did not begin because of Israel or its conflict with Palestinians'

Moran Azulay|Published: 09.01.13 , 23:23

Knesset Member Avigdor Lieberman, the co-leader of the ruling Likud-Beiteinu faction, leveled harsh criticism at the West following US President Barack Obama's decision to seek Congress' approval for a strike on Syria.

"We have witnessed something unprecedented over the past few months – 100,000 people were massacred in a neighboring country, Syria, and the world continues to talk," he said Sunday evening at a meeting of the Yisrael Beiteinu party ahead of the Jewish New Year.

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Lieberman, the chairman of the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, also addressed the supporters of Syrian President Bashar Assad around the world, saying their only goal is to "increase the terror and bloodshed. The Iranians are taking advantage of the situation – with determination and force - to continue with their nuclear program."

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Sunday that more than 110,000 people have died in the conflict in Syria since March 2011.

The group said the toll since the beginning of the 29-month uprising now stands at 110,371 people, with at least 40,146 civilians killed including nearly 4,000 women and more than 5,800 children.

"There are many elements that are trying to drag Israel into the Syrian turmoil, but I advise everyone not test us and refrain from dragging us into (the conflict). The war in Syria did not begin because of Israel or because of our (differences) with the Palestinians," Lieberman told his party members. "However, we are prepared, and we have all the answers. They know this in Damascus, Brussels and Moscow, and also in the Dahiya district in Beirut (Hezbollah's stronghold)."

Addressing the negotiations with the Palestinians, Lieberman said the international community is giving the issue excessive attention. "The international community has failed to resolve any conflicts and is looking to compensate itself (by trying to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict).

"The over-involvement of the Quartet, the European Union, the UN and the various envoys only delays a solution to the problem. If you want to solve the problem, let us deal with the Palestinians alone," he said.

Also on Sunday, some of the IDF reservists who were enlisted as part of the preparations for a possible American attack in Syria were released to their homes.