Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman toured the Air Force’s air defense array in the north of the country, along with Brigadier-General Tzvika Chaimovitch, among others. He visited both a Patriot and David Sling batteries in the area.

The defense minister met with commanders and soldiers of the air defense system, including Captain Ohr Neeman, commander of the Patriot battery, which was responsible for the successful intercepts in recent weeks.

During the tour Lieberman said, “I came here on a tour to examine the air defense system, to see our preparations for any possible development here on the northern border. As you see, our system stands ready, and at the moment of truth it proves its abilities.”

“As for everything that is happening on the other side, in Syria, as far as we are concerned, the situation is returning to the previous situation before the civil war, ie there is a clear address, there is responsibility and there is a central government … We did not interfere or interfere in Syria’s internal affairs,

Three points that are important to us:
1. Strict observance of the separation agreement of 1974.
2. Syrian soil cannot serve as an Iranian front base against the State of Israel.
3. Syria cannot be a main transit station for arms smuggling to Hizbullah in Lebanon.

“As soon as all three conditions are fulfilled, we have no interest in intervening or acting within Syrian territory, and as soon as this does not take place, we will act in accordance with the security interest of the State of Israel.”

Lieberman was asked that now that Assad is returning, are people in the north supposed to take this as having a calming effect? Are we supposed to be more relaxed now regarding what is happening there? I don’t think the situation will return to what it was before the civil war.

The minister stated, “I do not think the situation will return to what it was before the outbreak of the civil war. I think that it is also Assad’s interest, because he understands what will happen if it does not return to the previous situation and I assume that he will make his own decisions. Nevertheless, as I have made clear, we will not give up our security interests and we will have no intention of intervening in internal affairs for as long as we do not have to”.

Question:
‘The situation is back to normal’. Does this mean that Hizbullah is returning to Lebanon and another organization is returning, even an army?

Lieberman:
“Once again, I would not be in a hurry here with drawing the conclusions, and in any case, since the second Lebanon [war] we have made a well-drawn lesson, even in the hope that no one will try us, we are not looking for friction, but we will answer every provocation and challenge. Whether it will be from Lebanon, Syria, the Gaza Strip or anywhere else.”

As for the situation in the Gaza Strip, Lieberman was asked:
“You gave an order not to bring gas from Kerem Shalom to the Gaza Strip. Isn’t this some type of ping-pong, that they try a bit more kite-terrorism or bombs, and we close [the crossing for] a bit and open up a little. Maybe it’s time to do something unequivocal?”

The defense minister replied:
“First of all, you are absolutely right. We are not going to play ping pong. We received a request from Egypt and we agreed to Egypt’s request.

We took a half step and we permitted bringing in in gas and fuel, but there was another Egyptian commitment that there would be no launchings, no kites. Since these [attacks] things continue, I have decided to close the supply of gas and fuel to the Gaza Strip, and what I leave is only food and medicine, until the burning kites and the friction on the [border] fence are completely stopped.

“I just want to emphasize that Gaza has no other gas alternative. They can bring fuel, and not gas, from the Rafiach Crossing [from Egypt]. Unfortunately, their exports, mainly textiles and agriculture, can only go via the Kerem Shalom crossing, and to my sorrow, this too is closed. I hope the Gaza population will pressure the Hamas leadership, so they understand that there are far better alternatives to getting electricity 4 hours a day, and also in terms of employment and growth. They must completely stop all violence and if they want rehabilitation, then rehabilitation in return for demilitarization.”

How do the IDF view the launching of kites?
Lieberman: “I repeat: We have a clear policy regarding the Gaza Strip, even the entire issue of the POWs and missing persons without a clear settlement is impossible to advance there. As for the kite operators, because they send them out of populated homes and deliberately send small children, and they are launched from a distance of 3-44 kilometers, so you do not see more launching squads, so we make our considerations.

“In any case, it is necessary to hit those who launch the balloons, not those carrying or launching them but those who send them. We will act accordingly. In the past week, they have gone through an organized and planned operation under the clear directive of Hamas leaders to fire the kites or balloons out of populated houses and out of apartments, and mainly by children. ”

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)