By Micah Halpern
I've Been Thinking:
Israel was shocked by the US President Obama's decision to delay a strike against Syria until getting approval from Congress.
The Israelis feel that the time lag leaves them open.
Israel will be on 24/7 high defense status alert until a decision is made - and then again, until the strike. The hesitancy, the foot dragging, the insecurity this decision demonstrates is not what bothers Israelis the most. It is that this decision --- not to make a decision --- is an about face that changes the momentum and diminishes any chance President Obama ever had of linking the strike to a teaching moment for the world.
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has given Israelis an interim assurance telling them that, "Israel is peaceful and self-assured.
Our people know that we are well-prepared for any scenario."
Referencing Obama's disincentive to attack Netanyahu said, "Israeli citizens should also know that our enemies have very good reasons to not test our strength and power."
After a US strike against Syria, Israel becomes the only on-the-ground, local, identifiable, target for Syria,
Iran or Hezbollah to attack. And even if the US only sends 10 or 15 Tomahawk Cruise missiles, Syria will most likely need to respond. They will respond so as to save face both internally and in the greater Arab world.
If Congress chooses to launch an attack against Syria, Syria will most likely launch rockets into Israel.
Micah@MicahHalpern.com
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