Israel opposes the U.S. and Russian-backed cease-fire agreement in southern Syria because it perpetuates Iranian ambitions to establish a disruptive long-term presence on the Jewish state’s northern border, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said while visiting France on Sunday, The Times of Israel reported.
Netanyahu said that although the agreement seeks to keep Iran 12 miles from the Israeli border, it does not deal with Teheran’s plans to further entrench its presence in Syria, including the establishment of both a naval and air force base.
The Israeli prime minister, who said he discussed the issue with French President Emmanuel Macron during his meeting with him earlier on Sunday, stressed that “Israel is aware of Iran’s expansionist goals in Syria.”
The Israeli government has repeatedly said it will not permit Iran to establish a permanent presence in Syria, which would also make it easier for Teheran to supply the Hezbollah militia, its proxy in Lebanon which poses a threat to Israel.
Haaretz reported that until now the Israeli government’s displeasure with the cease-fire deal brokered by both the U.S. and Russia had only been expressed through quiet diplomatic channels.
When it obtained the text of the deal, Israeli officials said they were dismayed to discover that it had almost entirely ignored Israel’s security concerns and have been pressing both American and Russian officials on the topic.
U.S. President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin agreed on the cease-fire during the G20 summit in Hamburg last week.
Initial reports at the time had indicated that Israel would "welcome a genuine cease-fire" in southern Syria
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