Israel understands the Russian actions in Syria. This statement was announced today in an exclusive interview for Vestnik Kavkaza by the head of the department of Israel and Jewish communities at the Institute of Oriental Studies Tatyana Karasova. She also added that Tel Aviv continues to stick to its neutral position.
"Earlier, Israel preferred not to interfere in any events that occurred beyond the country's borders in the Middle East. However, this idea hasn't come true. If during the previous decade in spite of all the differences with the Golan Heights, the border between Syria and Israel was a very quiet place, but now radical Islamist groups are located on the Syrian side. For some time, Israel was maintaining a certain balance with those who were considered as the moderate opposition. Tel Aviv even treated their injured representatives, because Israel was given some guarantees in respect of the preservation of border safety. Now the situation has changed,'' she said.
According to the expert, Israel continues to act against the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad, as along with Iran and 'Hezbollah' he is one of the links in the so-called pro-Iranian axis, but now the attitude towards the Syrian leader has changed.
"It is one thing when a dialogue is conducted with a legitimate ruler, who protects the interests of his people and the state, and it is another thing to deal with the chaos when everyone is fighting against everybody and militants of Islamic State march triumphantly,'' the head of the department of Israel and Jewish communities at the Institute of Oriental Studies said.
"That is why Israel continues to remain neutral, more or less. Israel understands the Russian actions in Syria. Moreover, during the visit of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Moscow, where he met with his counterpart Dmitry Medvedev and President Vladimir Putin, they solved some key tactical issues, including coordination of forces in the air.
In addition, the parties came to an understanding of what is happening in Syria and what the result of these actions will be. This is a very important moment, because the most important threat to Israel now is the unpredictability and randomness of events taking place in the Middle East,'' Tatiana Karasova explained.
However, she drew attention to the fact that Israel is ready to resist this threat and in particular they revised the security concept in the country.
"If earlier the main enemies of Israel were Iran, Hamas, 'Hezbollah' and Palestinian groups, now the situation has changed. Tel Aviv is afraid of it at the level of genetic fears that the Arab world will fight against tiny Israel and they will have to fight for their safety around the perimeter of their borders. It is the reason why the whole army system of the country is in fighting readiness. The terrorist attacks don't stop in Israel. Now they are from the side of Hamas. Radical elements inside the state have also been activated. It is not only internal and external war for Israel. It is a feverish search for ways of integration in the Middle East.Tel Aviv is trying to stop being an outcast, trying to maintain forces that can resist the situation that is taking place in the Middle East. In this sense, Israel has made it clear that if ISIS radicals try to overthrow the sovereign government of Jordan, it will support it,'' the expert said.
