A senior Israeli official said Tuesday afternoon that "Israel is not interested in interfering in Syria's internal affairs, but will act resolutely to protect its security. We hope that the new regime will act only for the Syrian people, and will return Syria to the fold of the Arab world. If the new regime acts against Israel, or allows Iran to reestablish itself in Syria and act against Israel from its territory - Israel will attack these attempts with force and determination, and will exact a heavy and painful price."