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Ex-Security Official: Israel Has Been Careful Not to Harm Russian Interests in Syria
(Jerusalem Post) Herb Keinon - Former National Security Council head Maj.-Gen. (ret.) Yaakov Amidror said Tuesday in an interview that Israel's actions in Syria are designed to protect its own interests, but are done in a way meant to "limit damage to Russian interests, without giving up on our real need to stop the Iranians from creating a second Lebanon in Syria." There is an "open hotline between Israel and Russia to prevent accidental and unnecessary confrontation." Referring to the attack on the T-4 air base, Amidror said the Russians "allowed the Iranians to operate from a base where their [Russian] forces are located, so they can't complain if we hit those same Iranians." Amidror said Moscow understands that Israel is not trying to bring down the Assad government - which is the key Russian interest in Syria - or to harm Russian soldiers. At the same time, "We are defending our ability to live here in the region."