Israeli President Reuven Rivlin in a meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Thursday warned that Israel might be forced to take preemptive action against Hezbollah to take out the terrorist organization’s weapons arsenal.
Rivlin made the remarks after Israeli warplanes struck one of the Syrian regime’s key missile and chemical weapons factories at Masyaf base in Hama province, in an attempt to prevent Hezbollah from taking over the facility, The Jerusalem Post reported. The plant oversees advanced missile production and remaining stockpiles of chemical weapons, including nerve gas.
Security concerns dominated the discussion between the two leaders in Berlin, as Rivlin stressed the danger posed by Iran’s entrenchment in Syria and the consolidation of Iranian power throughout the Middle East with the help of proxy forces.
Rivlin addressed Hezbollah’s complete control of Lebanon and the devastating impact on the civilian population, as well as the group’s violations of UN Security Council resolutions, a concern that was echoed in recent weeks by U.S. Ambassador Nikki Haley. Constant bombardment of Israel by Hezbollah, Rivlin explained to Merkel, leaves his country with no option but to respond in kind.
Rivlin also discussed with Merkel Israel’s humanitarian operation to ease the suffering of the Syrian civil war. Last week, Haaretz revealed that Israel and donors to the country spent at least $32 million on goods for Syria this year and treated over 3,000 Syrian civilians.
The two leaders further spoke about the global terrorist threat and Israel’s commitment to confront the menace together with its partners. Israel, in the past, has trained allied countries in urban warfare and counter-terrorism techniques.
During the meeting, Rivlin also thanked Merkel for Germany’s unwavering commitment to Israel’s security and the sale of submarines, a vital component to confront Iranian aggression from the air, on land, and at sea.
Concluding the meeting, the two leaders voiced their mutual desire to bring the two countries even closer together in the future.
[Photo: AGENCIA EFE / YouTube ]