Barak: Weak Assad could benefit Hezbollah

Speaking before Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, defense minister reviews recent Middle East uprisings, Iran nuclear efforts and Palestinian statehood bid. His main concern? Hezbollah benefiting from Syrian unrest.


Moran Azulay

Defense Minister Ehud Barak took part Monday in a Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee meeting where he addressed defense and security issues first and foremost among which were the recent Middle East uprisings and events in Syria.

"It's hard to say when the Middle East will recover," said Barak and warned of the consequences of the fall of Bashar Assad's regime in Syria.

According to Barak "the Syrian regime is facing a dilemma. On the one hand, it is trying to calm the region while on the other hand it is afraid of being seen as weak". The defense minister estimated that "in the long and even present term it will be hard for Assad's regime to survive."

Nevertheless, Barak warned against the ongoing weakening of the Damascus regime which would increase the leakage of weapons and property into Hezbollah  hands in Lebanon. "The regime's weakening grip could lead to the ongoing transfer of assets and weapons to Hezbollah."

Barak: Syrian regime is facing a dilemma (Photo: Gil Yohanan)

Addressing the conclusions of the International Court over the murder of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and the attempts of Hezbollah Secretary General Nasrallah to point the finger of blame at Israel Barak said: "The International Court investigation of the Hariri murder has clearly pointed an accusatory finger at Hezbollah.

"The Lebanese government has national responsibility in case of a security decline against Hezbollah. That is the message we are making sure gets through to the Lebanese government."

During the review Barak also discussed the Palestinian intention of seeking recognition from the UN General Assembly in September.

"In my estimation, the Palestinians are trying to present their request in the UN in order to be accepted as an observer state. They are working to gain a critical mass of states that will support a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders, but I doubt if they will be able to achieve that critical mass."

'Defense budget increase needed'

The defense minister also discussed the latest development in Iran's nuclear program efforts and the strengthening terror organizations and Arab armies.

"On an average day of warfare around 50 tons of explosives are expected to fall on Israel from scattered weapons," but on a calming note he added: "We in turn are capable of firing 1,500 tons but in a very precise way."

He added that "if Israel were to complete equipping itself with all layers of interceptors – Iron Dome, Magic Wand and Arrow with an estimated investment of NIS 7 billion ($2.05 billion) spread across 20 years, that could bring a substantial change for the better in Israel's strategic balance in the region. For that we need an increase in the defense budget."