BICOM

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last night chaired a meeting of senior political and security figures to discuss the threat posed by ISIS, which has brutally seized control of large swathes of Iraq and neighbouring Syria.

Those in attendance included Justice Minister Tzipi Livni, Public Security Minister Yitzhak Aharonovitch, Shin Bet head Yoram Cohen, Police Commissioner Yohanan Danino, and Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein. They reportedly discussed legal measures which can be taken against those promoting ISIS, especially through the internet. Maariv says that the possibility of home-grown cells was also discussed.

Speaking to her Hatnuah parliamentary faction, Livni commented yesterday that although Israel is “the first to fight terrorism,” the best way to stop ISIS and similar groups in the region is to “create a strong axis with Arab nations” facing the same threat. Netanyahu has indicated similar views in recent weeks, making several references to a “new diplomatic horizon.”

Yesterday’s meeting came just hours before US President Barack Obama addressed the American people, outlining his strategy to combat ISIS in a 15-minute speech. He announced a “comprehensive and sustained counter-terrorism strategy” which will include a “systematic air campaign” against ISIS positions in Syria. He added, “I can announce that America will lead a broad coalition to roll back this terrorist threat.” US Secretary of State John Kerry has been in the region this week to recruit support for such a multilateral effort. Although Israel is unlikely to play a formal role in this coalition, Reuters reported this week that Israel is supplying crucial satellite imagery and other intelligence to bolster the United States-led effort.

Netanyahu is set to address a counter-terrorism conference in Herzliya this afternoon, where he is likely to discuss the threat of ISIS. Last week an unnamed senior IDF officer told Haaretz that ISIS forces “might show up later on” at the Israel-Syria border. There are also fears that ISIS has ambitions to establish a presence in Jordan, another country bordering Israel.