Israeli minister urges US to regain reins in Middle East
Jerusalem: A senior Israeli cabinet minister on Wednesday urged the United State to take the reins in the region and accused Russia of supporting the “Iranian axis of evil.”
His words came as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met in the Black Sea resort of Sochi with Russian President Vladimir Putin over Iran presence in Syria. Speaking at a welcoming ceremony to Boeing–made Dreamliner aircraft outside Tel Aviv, transportation minister Yisrael Katz praised the alliance between Israel and the US.
“Israel is ... the only ally the US can rely on during moments of truth,” he said, noting that the two countries “share intelligence information about IS and al-Qaida, as well as on Shiite sabotage and Iran’s support of terror.”
Mr Katz said that Iran’s attempt to establish a stronghold in Syria, Israel’s northern neighbour, is threatening to destabilise the Middle East.
In order to keep the stability in the region, “the US must return to its former position of leadership and power in the area,” he said. “The policy behind the outgoing US administration has failed. It has allowed Iran’s axis of evil, backed by Russia, to arrive at influential and critical areas which threatens US allies in the area.
“Israel will not allow Iran and its proxies to set up house on our northern border and threaten Israel’s home front and national infrastructure. We will do everything we can to prevent this,” Katz warned. In the meeting between Netanyahu and Putin, Netanyahu urged the Russian leader to act against Iran’s increased presence in Syria.