Israel is not indifferent to the Syrian tragedy. Occasionally it even displays active involvement. From time to time Israeli air force planes storm missile depots and weapons making their way to Hezbollah strongholds (according to “foreign sources,” of course). Military analysts announce that Israel is “closely monitoring” signs of chemical weapons use, discuss “red lines” and explain the meaning of “tie-breaking” weaponry. I remember that in March 2012, when horrific pictures showing victims of a Syrian air force bombing on civilian population centers north of the town of Homs were aired on television, then-Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman said: “The state of the Jewish people cannot sit idly by while atrocities are being committed in a neighboring state and people are losing all they have.” Liberman instructed his ministry to offer the International Red Cross humanitarian aid from Israel for Syrian civilians. The Syrian refugees are still waiting.
At his meeting last week (April 30) with the new pope, Francis I, President Shimon Peres warned of the weapons of mass destruction being developed by Iran and of the chemical weapons being stored in Syria. The Nobel Peace Prize laureate added that he “fears for the fate of the citizens of Iran and Syria under their current fanatical leadership.” He fears? Really? And what is the Nobel Peace Prize laureate willing to do for the sake of Syria’s citizens?
