Rivlin tells Merkel Israel obligated to respond to Hezbollah's rearmament
Speaking just hours after Syria accuses Israel of striking military site responsible for research on chemical weapons, Rivlin warns Merkel Iranian ambitions to establish a foothold in Syria via a Shiite corridor into its territory would 'plunge the entire region into a war.'
The meeting in Germany came just hours after Syria threatened “serious consequences” following an alleged Israeli aerial strike on a scientific center near Hama, which is responsible for research and development of nuclear, biological, chemical and missile technology and weapons.
In his meeting with Chancellor Merkel, President Rivlin clarified that, “We are hopeful that this commitment between the two countries will continue regardless of the coalition make up in either country”. During their discussion, the President expressed the State of Israel’s willingness to assist and cooperate in every field according to the common needs of both countries, and stressed the great importance of safeguarding the security of the State of Israel in the face of regional instability.
The President stressed to the Chancellor, the State of Israel’s gratitude and appreciation for her ongoing and firm commitment to the security of Israel over the years, in among other ways, in relation to the submarines, which were a critical contribution to the security of the State of Israel.
The President noted that Iran was leading the subversion of the Shia youth in Syria and across the Middle East, and that this represented a direct threat to the State of Israel and the stability of the entire region. Rivlin stressed that as such, Iran was liable to “sink the whole region into war.”
In their discussion on the current situation in Syria, the President spoke of the State of Israel’s humanitarian efforts for the sake of those wounded in the fighting in Syria, and of the outstretched hand Israel had offered to Syria’s helpless, even though it was an enemy state.
The President told the Chancellor of the dangerous consequences of Hezbollah’s activities backed by Iran in Lebanon, and said that Hezbollah endangered the local population, and consistently violated UN Security Council resolutions. In relation to this, the President clarified that the weapons infrastructure that Hezbollah was building may require the State of Israel to respond.
The President and Chancellor discussed the issue of global Islamic terrorism, and the global threat of ISIS. The President said, “The goal that has been set by the world to overcome it, is important and correct,” and added, “Israel will help in any efforts to realize this goal.”
At the end of their meeting, the two leaders discussed the bilateral relations between Israel and Germany, and of the need to continue to deepen this relationship also in the future. The two sides saw the importance that this relationship would stand strong, and would be reflected in a wide range of areas, and not just against a background of disagreements.
