Netanyahu declares Israel’s ‘full support’ for US-led Syrian strike

Prime Minister Netanyahu, in addition to several other high-ranking Israeli officials, expressed approval of the allied strike on Syrian targets following the most recent chemical attack in the war torn nation.

By: World Israel News Staff

Following targeted airstrikes launched by a coalition of US, UK, and French forces, a statement issued by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office on Saturday offered Israel’s support for the action.

To that end, Netanyahu declared, “A year ago, I made clear that Israel fully supports the decision by President Trump to stand against the use and spread of chemical weapons,” in an apparent reference to previous US strikes against Syria in April 2017 following a sarin gas attack attributed to Assad’s regime.

“Trump’s resolve and Israel’s support remain unchanged,” Netanyahu said. “This morning, under American leadership, the United States, France, and the United Kingdom demonstrated that their commitment to the fight against chemical weapons is not limited to declarations.”

Netanyahu expressed his hope that Syrian President Assad would acknowledge that “his reckless efforts to acquire and use weapons of mass destruction, his wanton disregard for international law and his provision of a forward base for Iran and its proxies endanger Syria.”

Prior to the PM’s office statement on Saturday, Netanyahu reportedly issued a gag order on Israeli officials prohibiting them from speaking publicly about the US-led Syrian strike. The directive was issued after several government officials lauded the allies’ actions, including Housing Minister Yoav Galant, who called the strike “an important signal to the axis of evil — Iran, Syria, and Hezbollah,” reported Channel 10.

Similarly, Knesset member Tzipi Livni announced, “[W]orld powers are sending the message that they will not tolerate the use of chemical weapons.”