More Quotes
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: “It must be ensured that the Syrian regime is stripped of its chemical weapons, and the world must make sure that whoever uses weapons of mass destruction pays a price for it…the message that is received in Syria will be received loudly in Iran.”
US President Barack Obama: “If fighting spills beyond Syria’s borders, these [Chemical] weapons could threaten allies like Turkey, Jordan and Israel. And a failure to stand against the use of chemical weapons would weaken prohibitions against other weapons of mass destruction and embolden Assad’s ally, Iran, which must decide whether to ignore international law by building a nuclear weapon or to take a more peaceful path. This is not a world we should accept. This is what’s at stake.”
full transcript here.
Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, Yukiya Amano: “Iran is not providing the necessary cooperation to enable us to provide credible assurance about the absence of undeclared nuclear material and activities. The agency therefore cannot conclude that all nuclear material in Iran is in peaceful activities…Given the nature and extent of credible information available to the agency about possible military dimensions to Iran’s nuclear programme, it remains essential and urgent for Iran to engage with us on the substance of these concerns.”
Israel’s Defence Minister Moshe Ya’alon: “Assad very directly and clearly used chemical weapons against his people. We are prepared for any scenario resulting from action in Syria, as well as from inaction…We will not interfere unless Syria crosses the red lines we have set. Our neighbours in Syria understand that if they challenge us, they will meet the strength and power of the IDF.”
US Secretary of State John Kerry: “Israel will be less safe unless the United States takes this action. Iran and Hezbollah are two of the three biggest allies of Assad. And Iran and Hezbollah are the two single biggest enemies of Israel. So if Iran and Hezbollah are advantaged by the United States not curbing Assad’s use of chemical weapons, there is a much greater likelihood that at some point down the road, Hezbollah, who has been one of the principal reasons for a change in the situation on the ground, will have access to these weapons of mass destruction. And Israel will for certain be less secure.”
IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Benny Gantz: “The past two years have seen a regional shakeup, and over the recent year, Israel has faced security challenges, such as Operation Pillar of Defence, through to other operations this year…During my tours over the past weeks, and in recent days specifically, I am observing a very high state of readiness in all sections of the IDF…I’m seeing good, sharp people in every place, all ready to carry out any mission when required. The Israeli nation can count on us.”