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| ISRAELI AMBASSADOR |

the “Arab Spring” have brought challenges and opportuni-
ties for both Israel and the Gulf countries. Iran’s aiding and
abetting of terrorist organizations such as Hezbollah, Ha-
mas and Islamic Jihad as well as operating a global terror
network of its own are a challenge not only for Israel but also
for our neighbours in the Middle East. Iran’s development of
long-range missiles as well as plans to have military nuclear
capabilities within a few years cause concerns for every-
one in our region. We welcome President Trump’s recent
decision on the Iran nuclear agreement, which creates an
opportunity to fix it and stop Iran’s increasing aggression in
our region.

Hezbollah actions in Lebanon have shifted Israel's attentions What is your opinion on the recent Hamas decision to
considerably toward its northern borders. call elections and of the seeming rapprochement be-
to extend its hegemony over Syria, Yemen and Iraq. Iran wants tween Hamas and The Palestinian Authority? What in
to place troops in Syria and to establish military bases and sea- your view would be the best outcome and at what stage
ports. Iran must be prevented from establishing a permanent could Israeli policy toward Gaza change?
foothold in Syria. It was reaffirmed at a recent Security Cabinet meeting
Despite the historic animosity between Israel and Syria, that we will not conduct diplomatic negotiations with a Pal-
in 2013 the Israel Defence Forces established field hospitals estinian government that relies on Hamas, a terrorist organi-
along the Syrian border to treat casualties. Physicians on sation that calls for the destruction of Israel, as long as it
the border work hand in hand with the Israel Defence Forces does not fulfil the following conditions:
to help the victims. Many patients are also transferred to • Hamas will recognise Israel and desist from terrorism,
Israeli hospitals to receive treatment. About 2,800 injured as per the Quartet conditions;
Syrians have entered Israel to receive medical care, and the • Hamas must be disarmed;
number continues to rise. In 2016 alone, 600 Syrians were • Fallen IDF soldiers and Israeli civilians held by Hamas
treated in Israeli hospitals. must be returned;
We of course hope that there will be a resolution to the • The Palestinian Authority (PA) must exercise full se-
conflict soon, which will bring a peaceful resolution for the curity control in Gaza, including at the crossings, and
Syrian people and better relations between Israel and Syria. prevent smuggling;
However, any future understanding about Syria has to make • The PA will continue to act against Hamas terror infra-
sure that it prevents Iran and its proxies from getting access structures in Judea and Samaria;
to Israel’s border with Syria. • Hamas will sever its ties with Iran; and
• Funds and humanitarian equipment will continue to
With Iranian backed influence, including Hezbollah, flow into Gaza only via the PA and the mechanisms
influential in terms of Assad securing and maintain- that have been established for this purpose.
ing power, to what level is Israel now concerned about
events in Lebanon, considering the largest Israeli mili- We continue to attach the utmost importance to the hu-
tary exercises in recent years were held in early Sep- manitarian situation in Gaza and in the past month 9855
tember, and were essentially a simulation of a conflict trucks have entered Gaza from Israel carrying 313,918 tons
with Hezbollah? of supplies.
We are greatly concerned by the activities of Hezbollah,
who have stockpiled tens of thousands of rockets in Leba- In terms of the general Palestinian issue, stasis seems
nese villages and other locations, priming them for use in a to be an appropriate word considering the lack of pro-
future conflict. They also tried to access missiles with pin- gress over recent years. What is Israel’s current posi-
point accuracy, by smuggling them from Syria with Iranian tion and what is it seeking from the West Bank admin-
assistance. The fact that Iran is working towards building a istration?
land bridge from Iran to the Mediterranean is also worrying, Israel is firmly committed to finding a solution to the con-
with its successful establishment of footholds in Lebanon, flict with the Palestinians and achieving a genuine and se-
as well as in Iraq and Yemen by means of the militias under cure peace for all of us, with real security, and the assurance
its command. With regard to the recent military exercises, that Israel is recognised as a Jewish state. Israel continues
these were planned long in advance but obviously took into to call on the Palestinian leadership to direct negotiations
account the latest developments in relation to Iran’s and without preconditions – but the Palestinian Authority contin-
Hezbollah’s current activities in the region. ues to reject the calls.
The changes that have happened in the Middle East since While President Mahmoud Abbas has stated his readiness

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