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Israel ready to act on Syria weapons, warns Netanyahu | Israel ready to act on Syria weapons, warns Netanyahu |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has told the BBC that Israel has a right to prevent weapons from falling into the wrong hands in Syria. | Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has told the BBC that Israel has a right to prevent weapons from falling into the wrong hands in Syria. |
He said that if terrorists seized weapons such as anti-aircraft and chemical weapons they could be "game changers" in the region. | |
Israel has said its policy is not to get involved in the Syrian conflict. | Israel has said its policy is not to get involved in the Syrian conflict. |
But in recent months it has retaliated following Syrian fire into Israeli-controlled areas in the Golan Heights. | But in recent months it has retaliated following Syrian fire into Israeli-controlled areas in the Golan Heights. |
Israel first occupied the Golan Heights in 1967 and later annexed the territory in a move that is not internationally recognised. | Israel first occupied the Golan Heights in 1967 and later annexed the territory in a move that is not internationally recognised. |
Since the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad began, there have been growing calls for the international community to arm the rebels. | Since the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad began, there have been growing calls for the international community to arm the rebels. |
But there is increasing concern that Islamist militants fighting alongside other rebel groups could use such weapons to further their own causes. | But there is increasing concern that Islamist militants fighting alongside other rebel groups could use such weapons to further their own causes. |
Mr Netanyahu, in an interview with the BBC's Lyse Doucet, said Israel's concern was "which rebels and which weapons?" | Mr Netanyahu, in an interview with the BBC's Lyse Doucet, said Israel's concern was "which rebels and which weapons?" |
"The main arms of concern to us are the arms that are already in Syria - these are anti-aircraft weapons, these are chemical weapons and other very, very dangerous weapons that could be game changers," he said. | "The main arms of concern to us are the arms that are already in Syria - these are anti-aircraft weapons, these are chemical weapons and other very, very dangerous weapons that could be game changers," he said. |
"They will change the conditions, the balance of power in the Middle East. They could present a terrorist threat on a worldwide scale. It is definitely our interest to defend ourselves, but we also think it is in the interest of other countries." | "They will change the conditions, the balance of power in the Middle East. They could present a terrorist threat on a worldwide scale. It is definitely our interest to defend ourselves, but we also think it is in the interest of other countries." |
'Not aggressive' | 'Not aggressive' |
Asked if Israel would adopt a more aggressive military stance in Syria, Mr Netanyahu said: "We are not aggressive. We don't seek military confrontation, but we are prepared to defend ourselves if the need arises and I think people know that what I say is both measured and serious." | Asked if Israel would adopt a more aggressive military stance in Syria, Mr Netanyahu said: "We are not aggressive. We don't seek military confrontation, but we are prepared to defend ourselves if the need arises and I think people know that what I say is both measured and serious." |
Mr Netanyahu would not confirm what was widely believed to have been an Israeli air strike on a suspected Syrian government weapons convoy in January. | Mr Netanyahu would not confirm what was widely believed to have been an Israeli air strike on a suspected Syrian government weapons convoy in January. |
It was reported that the convoy had been heading for Hezbollah fighters in Lebanon. | It was reported that the convoy had been heading for Hezbollah fighters in Lebanon. |
Mr Netanyahu was in London to attend Baroness Thatcher's funeral and also held talks with UK Prime Minister David Cameron. | Mr Netanyahu was in London to attend Baroness Thatcher's funeral and also held talks with UK Prime Minister David Cameron. |
Earlier, President Assad accused Western countries of backing al-Qaeda in his country. | Earlier, President Assad accused Western countries of backing al-Qaeda in his country. |
He warned that they would pay a heavy price in Europe and the US as militants became emboldened. | He warned that they would pay a heavy price in Europe and the US as militants became emboldened. |