Lieberman on Syria: ’Israel’ Not to Become Embroiled in Conflict, might Respond

Local Editor

Knesset Foreign Affairs and Security Committee Chairman MK Avigdor Lieberman claimed Tuesday that "Israel" does not want to become embroiled in the Syrian conflict, but may have to hit back if it is struck.

"It is clear that the entire region, and the international community, are treating the Syrian case as a test of the US's foreign policy and security concept," Lieberman told "Israeli" Radio. "The president's personal trustworthiness and that of the entire American administration are on the line - on the skewer. So is the reputation of American policy and the US's ability to wield influence, as well as its status as a leading world power."

He further said: "All of this is currently being tested, and that is why everyone is following this alertly."
 
Lieberman said that "Israel" does not want to enter the fray against Syria but added, "We may have no choice, but I hope that everyone knows how to read the map correctly and understand that "Israel" has no interest in entering the whirlpool of the Arab world."

However, the former foreign minister said that the transfer of chemical weapons to Hizbullah or a missile attack on "Israel" would require a military response.
"Syria understands the implications of "Israel" entering the fray and starting to play an active part," he said. "We can avoid being sucked in like that, as some elements would like. Our intent has to be not to enter, and only in an extreme case will we may have to respond."

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team