Former IDF Chief: Syria chemical weapons must be met with response

[Sand Wind]

Source: Haaretz

Former Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi told CNN's Christiane Amanpour in a rare interview aired Tuesday that once it can be confidently determined the Assad regime is responsible for chemical weapons use in Syria not responding will send "the wrong message."

"Doing nothing, it's not an option," he said. When asked about his professional recommendation he suggested "trying to help the opposition in a more concrete way, like providing them, instead of non-lethal assistance…weapons, [and] maybe to impose a no-fly zone, at least on part of Syria."

Before any action, however, he said "it should be very clear that [Syrian President Bashar Assad] was aware of it and he was part of it."


Read more: http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/former-idf-chief-syria-chemical-weapons-must-be-met-with-response.premium-1.518594

[leveymg]

1. Looks like the Israelis are now setting the lines in Syria and telling us what the options are.

And, they have quite an echo chamber in much of the US mass media. Note who echoes the loudest.

[Sand Wind]

2. If USA dont act in Syria, prepare your body to be conscript for the war against Iran. Nt.

[Fuddnik]

3. Makes sense. Syria may have maybe used chemical weapons. We invade Iran.

How much simpler could it get?

[Sand Wind]

7. If you dont react to Syria, you have no credidibility in face of Iran, who will knowledge.

[Fumesucker]

4. Yeah, the 101st Chairborne Division

[Comrade Grumpy]

25. I'll pass on both offers, thank you.

[TwilightGardener]

5. Well, then I heartily encourage Israel to respond. Set up a no-fly zone, troops to secure

chem weapons--knock yourselves out, Israel. Use that 3 billion in aid we give ya.

[Sand Wind]

6. Israël need a world leader to react, If not, It will be perceive as a religious war.

[leveymg]

8. Syria is a religious war, and has been for decades. Sunni v Shi'ia,

with the Israelis stirring shit between them and now trying to push the US into the middle of it.

No thank you.

[Sand Wind]

9. No Syria Is not a religious war, this Is a Russian propaganda.

[Alamuti Lotus]

10. so when the takfiris say "Christians to Beirut, Alawites to the grave", what do you call it?

and when they employ phrases in forums like "Satan's Alawite troops", "the Alawite army", "the Rafidite snakes", "the Assadite apostates", what the hell do you call it? I call it calculated obtuseness (on your part), but that's just what first comes to mind. I guess the Russians just made it all up; Sarah Palin saw it happen from her porch.

[Sand Wind]

11. They did never say that you are being lied by Russian agent.

[Alamuti Lotus]

12. I was in the area a couple months ago

one of Sheikh Assir's thugs in Saida said that TO MY FACE. Russian agents?

[Alamuti Lotus]

14. What do you think of them? *nt

[Sand Wind]

15. They where my heros, until this war.

Now they will be destroy.
They make the mistake to choose against the people.

[Alamuti Lotus]

16. Destroyed seems a bit harsh, don't you think?

I like how you can say that the Shiites will be destroyed, but it's not a religious war--with just a couple hours separating those remarks! What other thoughts do you have about the party--what do you think they're up to in Syria, if anything at all?

Just in case I go to sleep now, Takfiri, I just wanted to say that you really shouldn't have said that the family of another DU member should be hanged, I would prefer to keep you around for longer--I get bored sometimes and could use the entertainment.

[Sand Wind]

17. The Hezbollah, not the shiites...you found some

Meaning where there Is not.

Have fun.

[Alamuti Lotus]

18. That is true, those are your exact words

My apologies for the seemingly inaccurate extrapolation.

[pampango]

20. A "religious war" is (was) not inevitable anyway. Other countries (like Turkey) have similar ratios

of Sunnis and Shias and have no religious war. There is nothing inevitable about that.

Are we to assume that the Sunnis in Syria are inherently more violent than the Sunnis in Turkey right next door, so that any transition to a more representative government in Syria would inevitably lead to a 'religious war'?

What if, in March 2011 when those massive peaceful demonstrations began, Assad has said "Fine, three months from now I am leaving. Let's have a free and fair election with international monitors. You think you are ready for a more open and democratic government? I will take some credit for that development and wish you the best." This would have probably have led to a Sunni-led government since they are a majority in the country. But would it have led to a 'religious war'? Are Syrian Sunnis more malevolent than Turkish Sunnis?

[pampango]

19. "it should be very clear that was aware of it and he was part of it." IF (a big IF) Assad knew and

authorized the use of chemical weapons (a hypothetical scenario at this point), then the world needs to do something. That does not mean an invasion or, necessarily, any direct military response.

The use of chemical weapons has been against international law since 1997 with the adoption of the Chemical Weapons Convention. There is a reason why 188 countries adopted this international convention. If we make no effort to enforce international law then the thugs and bullies of the world win. It becomes "every man for himself" and "might makes right".

My guess is that if (again hypothetically) the Syrian government is proven (the CWC has a verification provision) to have used chemical weapons, Russia will withdraw its support for Assad. Without a continuing flow of weapons and Russia's support on the Security Council, Assad will be toast and he will know it.

[madokie]

21. Screw him

[Steviehh]

22. chem weapons

Why are the Israeli's pausing? There must be a reason. They could do it quick. There is some problem in taking them out, Netanyahu?

[Stewland]

23. If the Zionist state would choose to be a force of good in the region

Imagine if the Zionist state chose to be a force of good in the region and decided that its militaristic stance towards its neighbors only brings the cycle of violence forward. This attitude if accepted would upset the arms industry and all the hawks who depend upon conflict to line their nest. Peace is the only solution that preserves lives. Perhaps some of that 3 billion in American aid could be spent upon improving the economic outlook for the oppressed in the region.

[geek tragedy]

24. Go for it, Israel! You don't need our help. You got this! nt