by Israel Hayom Staff
Military Intelligence chief Maj. Gen. Herzl Halevi says Iranian operations in Syria are sabotaging Syrian interests, while in Lebanon, Hezbollah is continuing to acquire weapons with Iran's help
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Military
Intelligence Director Maj. Gen. Herzl Halevi
Photo: Dudi Vaaknin
The
2015 nuclear agreement between Iran and world powers has rendered Iran
stronger and more brazen, Military Intelligence Director Maj. Gen. Herzl
Halevi warned Sunday.
Iran is "growing bolder in its missile
[development] and the support it gives terrorism in our region," Halevi
told a conference in Tel Aviv.
He said that effecting change would require action, not just dialogue, and that the current momentum from U.S. moves to revise the nuclear agreement "poses the best chance for actual change."
Halevi said the objective of the nuclear
agreement – to get Iran to change its conduct – cannot be achieved
only by way of negotiations, and "only an economic, political, or some
other kind of crisis" will lead to change.
"The more the world can project a united front, the greater the chance of a change," he said.
Commenting on the possibility of a security
escalation on Israel's northern border, Halevi said, "With Iran's
assistance, Hezbollah continues to acquire strategic weapons. The key to
avoiding war in Lebanon is in the hands of the Lebanese government. The
Lebanese leadership claims it is defending Lebanon from Israeli
aggression, but Israel has no intention of attacking Lebanon.
"The differences between us are small and
they can be bridged. Lebanon must prioritize its economy, which is one
of the largest in the region, and not the interests of Iran and
Hezbollah."
On the Iranian presence in Syria, Halevi
said Iran is "exploiting Syria to target Israel, in stark contrast to
Syrian interests."
He continued, "Not everyone recognizes
Iran's clandestine plans for Middle East dominance. We share
intelligence to inform people.
"Not everyone who knows has internalized
what it means and not everyone who has internalized it has taken action.
Israel has warned against it and is taking actions. Our neighbors
understand this well."
As for tensions with the Palestinians, he warned of a likely "volatile" month ahead.
"The Palestinian public is frustrated and there's a sense that they have lost their way," he said.
"This period will obligate us to engage in
even more determined counterterrorism efforts, and we will have to work
closely with the Palestinian security forces to preserve the
relationship for the day after Abu Mazen [Palestinian Authority
President Mahmoud Abbas, now 83].
He said Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip,
"has been struggling for years. It is in distress, it is flustered, it
is facing a severe civilian and infrastructure crisis in Gaza, and
recruitment is low. This has prompted Hamas to seek Iran's assistance,
and it is exploiting Gazans, sending them to the border fence to clash
with Israeli troops."
Israel "will not allow any violation of its sovereignty," he stressed.
Israel Hayom Staff
Source: http://www.israelhayom.com/2018/03/26/irans-mideast-operations-growing-bolder-intelligence-chief-warns/
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