Mobilisation In Israel Over Iran-Syria Deal

A report in Alsharq Al-awsat about a $1B Iranian military aid to Syria is causing reverberations in Israel.

Until yesterday, many Israelis were hopeful that some kind of peace talks with Syria could take place. But when a report by the Saudi-owned newspaper Alsharq Alawsat reveals that Iran promised to supply Syria with $ 1 Billion worth of military aid, many Israelis took note:

The report details Iran’s promised assistance (English: JP)

aside from economic, cultural and scientific cooperation, Iran will help to fund Syria’s purchase of Russian and North Korean weapons. These weapons reportedly will include 400 advanced Russian T-72 tanks, 18 Russian Mig 31s, as well as eight M-8 helicopters and other military equipment…In addition, Iran will reportedly help Syria build factories that would manufacture medium-range missiles, and will also supply Syria with Iranian-made tanks and armored personnel carriers. The Syrian navy will also reportedly be rearmed with Chinese-made C-801 and C-802 missiles, which are presently being manufactured in Iran.

Ahmeadinajead Also Promised to help Assad on the Lebanese front:

On the diplomatic front, Ahmadinejad reportedly promised Assad to help topple Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Saniora and to push sway on the Lebanese parliament with the aim of restoring pro-Syrian influence there.

So what does Assad have to give back in return for such munificence?

Assad, for his part, agreed not to enter peace negotiations with Israel.

A cheap price for Assad, as we all know that what he really wants is Lebanon.

It is not clear yet if peace negotiations with Syria will remain on the table in Israel, but the political class is already freaking out: Talks of a “national emergency government” to face the Iranian threat have already begun.

In Lebanon, the silence is deafening.