WarSclerotic

Gantz: Israel prepared to absorb Alawite refug… JPost – Defense.

    Israel is prepared to absorb Alawite refugees that may flee to the Golan Heights after Syrian President Bashar Assad’s regime ends, IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Benny Gantz told the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee on Tuesday.

According to Gantz, Assad’s leadership is “cracking,” and Alawites are expected to suffer once his government falls.

The chief of staff also explained that the current situation in Syria makes it difficult for Assad to attack Israel.

However, their weapons systems still exist and are well-maintained, he added. These weapons include SA-17 missiles that challenge the IAF’s “superiority in the air.”

Gantz also addressed the Iranian threat, saying it will be a “critical year” for Tehran.

The Chief of Staff said that there may be more “unnatural” events in Iran, as well as changes in leadership and continuing pressure from the international community, as the Islamic Republic continues to develop nuclear weapons.

He added that, while stronger sanctions influence Iran’s leaders, he does not see them putting an end to their nuclear ambitions.

Gantz also said that international pressure may lead Tehran to decide to close the Strait of Hormoz or export terror attacks, for example, to Hezbollah.

According to Gantz, Hezbollah has weapons stored in Syria, which may trickle into Lebanon.

He added that the threat from Lebanon has increased fivefold in recent years.

Gantz also referred to “security chaos” in Egypt, which has not made the Sinai a priority. He expressed concerns that terror might be “outsourced” to Sinai from groups outside of Gaza.

In addition, the connection between Gaza and Egypt has been strengthened, due to the Muslim Brotherhood’s increased power, and Hamas may turn Sinai into a site for more terrorist attacks.

Gantz said he will “act to enforce the quiet” in Gaza, warning that Hamas is growing stronger.

When asked about “price tag” attacks, Gantz explained that only a marginal group initiates the attacks, and that most of the population in the West Bank is law-abiding.

However, according to Gantz, the events have become common enough that they a “serious phenomenon” that must be stopped.

The Chief of Staff also referred to the defense budget, in light of cuts recently announced by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu that are meant to fund free education for children aged three and four.

“I am not prepared for budgetary necessities to harm the IDF,” Gantz said. “I am disturbed that budgetary decisions will increase the gap between our capabilities and our security needs. The IDF needs to be stronger.”

This entry was posted on January 10, 2012 at 8:41 PM and is filed under Uncategorized. You can subscribe via RSS 2.0 feed to this post's comments. You can comment below, or link to this permanent URL from your own site.