Gary Fitleberg, April 26, 2005

According to the Associated Press, the United States said it was not discussing with Israel any possible military against Hamas leaders in Damascus and it will not intervene.

The U.S. passed its own bi-partisan legislation in both houses of Congress known as "Syria Accountability Act" which gives the president authority to impose several types of sanctions against Syria for it’s increased involvement against America in Iraq, for its "occupation" of Lebanon and for its state support of terrorist organizations such as Hamas, Hezbollah and Islamic Jihad.

"Israel has a right to defend itself, and they don't come to us and we don't approve Israeli military operations," State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said.

"That's not a subject of discussion," he replied when asked if the Bush administration was concerned that Israel might move against Syria.

First of all, Boucher said, Israel has a right to defend itself. And, he said, the United States is concerned about Syria's support for various groups.

There were no calls for restraint from the administration.

As the 16 dead from two attacks and bus bombings Tuesday in Be'er Sheva were being mourned, Israeli officials hinted at possible military action. The terrorist group Hamas, whose leaders are based in Syria, claimed responsibility for the attacks.

Syria and Hamas, apparently fearful of an Israeli strike, accused Israel of trying to aggravate tensions.

Syria: Israeli threat against Damascus lacks credibility

Syria said on Thursday that Israeli threats to retaliate for Damascus' alleged complicity in Palestinian suicide bombings that killed 16 Israelis in Be'er Sheva on Tuesday lacked credibility.

"The launching of premature Israeli threats against Syria lacks the least degrees of credibility or evidence," the official SANA news agency quoted Foreign Minister Farouq Shara as saying, adding that the threats "exacerbate the deteriorating situation in the region."

Earlier Thursday, Israel and Hamas traded warnings of possible attacks in the wake of the Tuesday bus bombings in Be'er Sheva, as Deputy Defense Minister Ze'ev Boim said Israel should consider military action against targets within Syria.

Senior Hamas official Osama Hamdan Thursday cautioned Israel that the militant Islamic organization "will not sit idly by" if Israeli forces attempt to assassinate its leaders abroad. Hamas has said in the past that it would view such an attack as a "green light" to attack Israeli targets overseas.

Boim, discussing Israel's charges that Damascus bore responsibility for the Tuesday homicide bombings that killed 16 people, said Thursday that "The rule that 'anyone who deals in terror against Israel is a target' is a rule that must be stated and one that we must stand behind."

Israel would in any event take care not to cause a "conflagration" if it were to attack again on Syrian soil, Boim added.

"I believe that it is possible to carry out these attacks by correct selection of targets, in the correct 'dosage,' placing the red lines that must be placed, without thinking in terms of massive conflagration, which is certainly not in our interest," Boim said in remarks broadcast on Israel Radio.

Government sources have fingered Moussa Abu Marzook, a senior Hamas official now residing in Damascus who is also wanted by the United States, as the individual behind the bombings. News reports have also mentioned Hamas leader Khaled Mashal, also based in the Syrian capital.

"There is no immunity, and if there is a need, we will act," Boim said.

Israel has provided the U.S. with "concrete evidence" of Syrian involvement in the bombings, Israel Radio reported Thursday. Asked about the evidence, Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom declined to respond directly, but said, in an apparent reference to the Damascus-based Hamas command:

"Syria is involved in terror all the time. Syria is responsible for acts of terrorism and granting patronage for terror, and therefore we view it as responsible the moment that those organizations receive direct orders from their headquarters in Damascus.

"When Syria is responsible, it must of course understand that there are some quite clear results."

Less than a year ago, the Israel Air Force attacked targets in Syria in response to a deadly bombing at a popular seaside restaurant in Haifa.

Shalom, who is leaving for Holland for talks with European Union foreign ministers, said "As a matter of principle, in the past we have not rushed to attack Syrian targets. When that it done, it will be done after in our opinion that Syria has crossed the red line."

Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz said Wednesday that "a large portion of the terrorism in the territories" comes from Hamas headquarters in Damascus and Hezbollah in Lebanon. You cannot separate what happened in Be'er Sheva from what is going on in Lebanon."

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon also blamed the Be'er Sheva bombing on Hamas headquarters in Damascus, and Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Moshe Ya'alon threatened with unspecified reprisals.

"Anyone who is responsible for terrorism against us should not sleep quietly," said Ya'alon, when asked by Knesset reporters how Israel would respond to Tuesday's homicide bombings.

"We will deal with all those who support terror, at every level - people in the Palestinian Authority; people in Hezbollah in Lebanon; people in the terrorist headquarters in Damascus, which operate with Syria's permission; and also the financial support and weaponry that is transferred to the terrorist organizations under Iran's auspices."

He declined to give any details of what Israel's response might be. As before, Israel reserves the right of the element of surprise against Syria.

Syria will soon be surprised to find out that its state support of terrorism will be its end. Syria will not be able to hide behind Bashar Assad and an appearance of western civilization cloaked by a three-piece suit.

Gary Fitleberg is a Political Analyst specializing in International Relations with emphasis on Middle East affairs.

Copyright © 2005 Gary Fitleberg