Politics

Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon, today (Tuesday, 28 May 2013), in Ramle, at IDF Home Front Command HQ, said in response to a question about potential conflict with Syria:  "That is not the intelligence assessment.  The Syrian regime treats us differently than its citizens. It is deterred by us, but not by its citizens. We will be prepared and ready for any future developments. In our assessment, we do not see anyone who is about to try and test us in the area of unconventional attacks in the foreseeable future."

In response to a question about the S-300 missile system, Minister Ya'alon said: "Regarding the S-300, the matter obviously came up because of Russia's intention to provide Syria with this missile system. Clearly this move is a threat to us, even though at this point I cannot say that there is a step-up in the shipment of the S-300. The deliveries have not taken place, I can attest to this, and I hope they do not. But if, by some misfortune, they arrive in Syria, we will know what to do."