Pro-Israel lobby group AIPAC has decided to endorse President Obama’s military attack on Syria apparently unconcerned about a wider war threatening Israeli interests. According to AIPAC’s statement, part of the motivation for support are concerns over Iran developing a nuclear weapon.
AIPAC’s all in on Syria. The American Israel Public Affairs Committee, the nation’s primary pro-Israel lobbying group, has broken its silence on Syria, calling for members of Congress to vote in favor of a resolution giving President Barack Obama express authority to launch strikes against President Bashar Assad’s regime…
“America’s allies and adversaries are closely watching the outcome of this momentous vote. This critical decision comes at a time when Iran is racing toward obtaining nuclear capability,” AIPAC wrote. “Failure to approve this resolution would weaken our country’s credibility to prevent the use and proliferation of unconventional weapons and thereby greatly endanger our country’s security and interests and those of our regional allies.”
So war with Syria opens the door to war with Iran? Are some people counting on these “limited” strikes leading to a wider war?
Those concerned about Israel’s security should also consider what those fighting Assad think about Israel. Free Syrian Army Chief of Staff Salim Idris, for instance – that’s the rebel group not directly linked to Al Qaeda – said “Israel Is an Enemy Country.” The rebels both Al Qaeda and non Al Qaeda like the SFA led by Idris will be the chief beneficiaries of any weakening of Assad.
Salim Idris: As for us being Israeli collaborators – the only Israeli collaborator in the region is the criminal Bashar. The Israeli collaborators are the people who put on the show of the 2006 war – Hizbullah and its leader Hassan Nasrallah. They diverted all their forces to the slaughtering of Syrians. Their scheme is totally clear. They used to hide behind the pretext of resistance and the fight against Israel, but now it has become clear that they are implementing a sectarian, Iranian, Safavid plan in the region.
[...]
Israel is an enemy country. I say this loud and clear. It occupies Syrian lands. The FSA will not change its position regarding that country before [Israel] withdraws from the Syrian lands, and recognizes the legitimate rights of the Arab Palestinian people. [Then] we will abide by the decision of the Arab people of Syria.
Of course if America does launch a unilateral strike against Syria for alleged chemical weapons use, it will be pretty hard to tell the Israelis not to strike Iran’s nuclear facilities. In any case, this is a very dangerous game to be playing.