BICOM

As the Obama administration increases efforts to secure both international and domestic support for a military strike against the Assad regime in Syria, Israeli officials said yesterday that Israel is prepared for the consequences of whatever decision is reached in Washington.

US President Obama referred the decision over military intervention to Congress last week and the Times and Independent this morning say that opinion among US lawmakers and the general public is in the balance. Addressing the uncertainty at the annual international conference held by the Institute for Counter-Terrorism in Herzliya, Israel’s Defence Minister Moshe Ya’alon said that “We’re prepared for the consequence of [United States] action or inaction in Syria.” He reiterated that “We’re not involved in the Syrian civil war unless our interests are harmed or the red lines we set [are crossed]” including attempts by the Assad regime to transfer “quality weapons” to terrorist organisations such as Hezbollah. Ya’alon emphasised that Israelis should maintain “the daily routine” and that “Anyone who planned vacations during the [current Jewish] holidays can continue with their plans.”

Speaking at the same conference, the head of the diplomatic-security bureau at Israel’s Defence Ministry, Amos Gilad added “Will the United States attack? Will it not attack? What will the consequences be? All of these things are unknowns.” However, he also said that Israel will not intervene unless forced to do so.

Meanwhile, Channel Two reported yesterday that for the first time, a battery of the Iron Dome anti-missile system has been moved to the Jerusalem area as part of the preparations for possible US military intervention in Syria. According to Haaretz, batteries have already been placed near Tel Aviv and in the north of the country. Reuters quotes an Israeli official who said that Israel would receive advanced notice “hours” ahead of a US strike on Syria.