BICOM

Although Israel’s government refrained from commenting, some Israeli leaders and the media discussed the Russian suggestion that Syria would disarm its chemical stockpile in order to alleviate the threat of US-led military action.

US President Barack Obama announced last night that he is postponing a Congressional vote on military intervention in Syria in order to give Syrian chemical disarmament a chance. Prime Minister David Cameron voiced a note of caution over Russia’s suggestion, telling MPs yesterday “What’s important is to make sure this isn’t some delaying tactic.” Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has instructed his cabinet to refrain from making any public comments regarding Syria. However, President Shimon Peres voiced scepticism over Syrian compliance, telling Channel Two “There will be tough negotiations, because at least one partner [Syria] is not trustworthy and their acceptance means very little.”

Meanwhile, Energy Minister Silvan Shalom is quoted by Reuters saying “if there is no [Western] response over Syria” and its chemical weapons, “there certainly won’t be any response on Iran” regarding its nuclear development. Indeed, US Secretary of State John Kerry also stressed the importance of the Iranian context in deliberations over Syria during his appearance yesterday before the House Armed Services Committee. He said that he had held discussions with Netanyahu “And there’s a reason that the Prime Minister has said…this decision matters. It’s called Iran. Iran looms out there with its potential – with its nuclear program and the challenge we have been facing. And that moment is coming closer in terms of a decision. They’re watching what we do here.”

In commentary in this morning’s Israeli press, Alon Pinkas in Yediot Ahronot says that the United States has “achieved an effect of deterrence” through the threat of military force. In the same publication, Ephraim Halevy argues that the current episode signals the return of Russia as a central player in the Middle East.