Israel is undertaking an array of defensive measures in preparation for what Syria and Iran have promised will be attacks against the Jewish State should the West move against the Bashar al-Assad regime.

Israeli officials have upped their efforts to prepare civilians for the attacks. Last Thursday Israel announced that it would deploy a second Iron Dome battery to the country’s north, a few days after another battery of the anti-missile system stationed in the area intercepted a rocket from Lebanon.

Nonetheless the Israelis are emphasizing that they have no interest in becoming entangled in the conflict. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu was explicit on the point in contextualizing Israel’s defensive moves:

“We have decided to deploy Iron Dome and other interceptors,” Netanyahu said, in a statement released by his office, ahead of holding security talks at the defence ministry. “We are not involved in the war in Syria. But I repeat: if anyone tries to harm Israeli citizens, Tsahal (the Israeli army) will respond with force,” Netanyahu said in other remarks broadcast by Israeli television.

IDF Chief of Staff Gen. Benny Gantz echoed the stance at a ceremony for Israel’s fallen soldiers last week:

“We will not fan the winds of war, not within our borders or around us, but we will exercise the unshakable duty to protect the State of Israel from threats surrounding if needed,” he said. “Those who seek to harm us will do so in a way that is stronger and more aggressive than ever. Our enemies know that we are ready to defend our citizens in every way, against every threat and in every scenario possible.”

[Photo: Boaz Guttman / Flickr]