Israel deploys Iron Dome defence system: Netanyahu

Saturday, August 31, 2013

Israel deploys Iron Dome defence system: Netanyahu

Steve Weizman August 29, 2013 Military Israel United States Syria

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday said Israel deployed its Iron Dome missile defence system to bolster its security as the West weighed military strikes on neighbouring Syria.
But he echoed President Shimon Peres in insisting that Israel is not involved in Syria's civil war but will respond with all its might if attacked.
"We have decided to deploy Iron Dome and other interceptors," Netanyahu said, in a statement released by his office, ahead of holding security talks at the defence ministry.
"We are not involved in the war in Syria. But I repeat: if anyone tries to harm Israeli citizens, Tsahal (the Israeli army) will respond with force," Netanyahu said in other remarks broadcast by Israeli television.
His comments come as Britain and the United States laid out their case for punitive strikes on Syria over an alleged chemical attack last week that rights groups say killed hundreds.
Earlier Peres said Israel will hit back if its security is at stake.
"Israel was not, and is not, involved in the Syrian fighting but if anyone tries to harm us we will respond with all our might," Peres was quoted as saying in a statement from his office.
"Israel has a strong army, modern and powerful, and a more advanced defence system than ever before," he added.
Army chief of staff Lieutenant General Benny Gantz said his forces were "ready for all scenarios," but added: "I hope we will not have to send them into action."
Peres said the situation in Syria, where a civil war that erupted in March 2011 has killed more than 100,000 people, "is not a local incident but a crime against humanity."
Israeli media and officials sought to calm the public on Thursday, as queues for gas masks lengthened.
There are fears that it the United States and its allies launch military strikes on Syria, forces of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad could retaliate against Israel, Washington's key ally in the region.
"Keep calm and carry on" was the title of a front-page analysis in the Jerusalem Post, echoing a slogan designed by the British government in World War II.

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Netanyahu: ‘Low probability’ Israel will be drawn into Syria fighting

With US-led strike expected early next week, IDF scales back leave for units in north, hospitals told to be ready for any emergencies, but leaders say Israelis have nothing to fear

By Haviv Rettig Gur and Mitch Ginsburg August 29, 2013, 8:21 pm

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a video released following a meeting with defense officials Thursday. (photo credit: YouTube screen capture)

Israeli authorities went out of their way on Thursday to calm fears of a regional war, even as military sources said they anticipated US-led intervention in Syria early next week..
“There is no need to change our routine at this time,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a YouTube video released Thursday (Hebrew link) of him speaking at the start of a meeting with defense officials at IDF headquarters in Tel Aviv. “Israel is prepared,” he said.

Responding to reports of heightened IDF mobilization, including the deployment of additional missile-defense batteries to the north, Netanyahu suggested the steps were taken as a precaution.
“Despite the low probability that Israel will become involved in what is happening in Syria, we decided to deploy the Iron Dome batteries and other interception systems,” he said.
Netanyahu, who was meeting with security chiefs in Tel Aviv late into Thursday, added: “We are not involved in the civil war in Syria, but let me reiterate, if someone tries to harm Israel’s citizens, the IDF will respond with immense power.”
IDF Chief of the General Staff Lt.-Gen. Benny Gantz made similar comments Thursday night, telling Israelis they could go about their daily lives as usual, and that the army was “ready for any scenario.”

An Iron Dome battery outside Haifa (photo credit: Avishag Shaar Yashuv/Flash90)

Some reports also surfaced Thursday that the IDF had frozen all leave for units deployed in the north, though other sources said there had only been a reduction in weekend leaves.

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