While the media remains obsessed with the developments in the case surrounding the arrest of a suspect in the murders of two teens, members of the to’eva community, government leaders are more than moderately concerned with events in Syria. It is almost silent, and Israelis don’t feel it, but the earth is vibrating under our feet many intelligence community officials warn.

Government and defense community leaders are doing as they should, exhibiting an air of calm and business as usual, but in reality, Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon and others are more than aware of the volatile situation and the possibility of the situation erupting at a moment’s notice.

Even along the Golan Heights, particularly recent developments in Quneitra, have many concerned. The Austrians this week have begun moving their troops out of the area, abandoning their peacekeeping mission as an unarmed monitoring force. Israeli troops in that area of the Golan have moved to fortified positions, and the Quneitra Crossing is no longer being used to permit civilians to cross from one country into the other.

This week the United States will decide if Washington wishes to arm rebel forces towards toppling Bashar al-Assad’s regime. That decision will have significant impact on events in Syria and the entire region.

Israel Radio Reshet Bet on Wednesday, 4 Tammuz 5773 aired a telephone interview with a rebel leader now operating in the Golan Heights near Quneitra. He is quoted as making an appeal to Israel, the United States and the European community to supply the necessary weaponry to give his forces the qualitative edge to “oust the wicked Assad regime.”

“We are not extremists as some believe. We need your assistance. Help us to oust Assad. If you assist us, even in an indirect fashion, we can achieve the results and peace will follow.”

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)