Defense Minister Ehud Barak and IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-General Gabi Ashkenazi on Wednesday attended the annual memorial for the Chopper Disaster, the midair crash to two IAF choppers carrying troops to the security zone in Southern Lebanon in 1997. 73 soldiers perished in the horrific crash over Yishuv Shar Yashuv in northern Israel.

Barak called on Syria to come to the negotiating table rather than testing Israel, emphasizing Israel is not preparing for war. The senior officials added that in the event of a need, the IDF stands prepared for any eventuality and will respond to any and all aggression.

The latest round in the war of words comes in response to Hizbullah leader Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah’s statements that is any buildings in Lebanon are targeted; he will begin targeting buildings in Tel Aviv.

Israel has been trying to calm the situation, with high-level officials releasing messages denying any planned assault against Syria or Lebanon, but the Arab response continues to be hostile and threatening. Mr. Barak on Wednesday reiterated there are no planned assaults for the spring of coming summer, but the messages from Syria and Lebanon are unfortunately of a different tone and nature.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)