RAMALLAH/JERUSALEM, 21 September 2007 — Israeli political and defense establishments were shocked and angered yesterday by opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu’s “slip of the tongue” regarding the reported Israeli aerial operation in Syria two weeks ago.
In what appears to be the first confirmation by a senior politician of foreign media reports, chairman of Likud party told Israeli Channel One television late Wednesday that he was party to Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s decision to attack Syria, an operation on which Israeli officials have remained uncharacteristically silent.
“When the prime minister takes action in important and necessary matters, and generally when the government is doing things for the security of Israel, I give it my endorsement,” he said. “I was privy to this matter, I must say, from the first minute and I gave it my backing, but it is still too early to discuss this subject.” When asked if he congratulated Olmert on the success of the operation. Netanyahu responded, “Personally, yes.” Netanyahu broke an official silence over Syria’s accusations that Israel bombed its territory, hinting the reported mission was of strategic significance and a success. Netanyahu’s remarks, broadcast live, flew in the face of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert government’s refusal to talk about the Sept. 6 incident and drew flak from rivals and allies alike who suggested the hawkish ex-premier was vying for credit.
Asked if he had congratulated Olmert on completion of the mission, the hawkish Likud party chief said: “In person? Yes.” Israeli media, chafing at two weeks of strict military censorship, headlined what they called the first public acknowledgement by Israel that it did indeed mount some form of incursion.
By noting that Olmert had consulted him before the incident, Netanyahu appeared to signal the operation had been especially important.
In the past, Israeli opposition leaders have been briefed in advance about some of the state’s most daring exploits, such as the 1981 bombing of Iraq’s nuclear reactor and the 1976 rescue of hijacked Israeli air passengers in Entebbe, Uganda.
Syrian officials have said that their air defenses forced Israeli jets to flee, dropping bombs harmlessly in the desert. However, US and other officials have said Israel attacked Syrian targets that may have had links to North Korean nuclear arms or Iranian weapons for Lebanon’s Hezbollah group.
