Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman toured northern Israel on Tuesday and addressed the recent security escalation along the border with Syria.
On Saturday, an Israeli fighter jet was shot down during a mission targeting Iranian posts in Syria in one of the worst border clashes in years.
"I tried not speaking over the past few days," Lieberman said Tuesday during a meeting with Kiryat Shmona Mayor Nissim Malka. "I don't think this is the time for talking, but for doing. I am trying to focus on doing. We are busy working with [a sense of] purpose and responsibility."
In light of Russia's recent call on Israel to avoid any action that would further destabilize the tensions on the border, Lieberman was asked by reporters whether Israel would now rein in its retaliatory strikes in Syria, where Iranian forces have established a foothold. "No restraint," Lieberman replied.
"We will not accept [the imposition of] any restrictions. We acted with conviction and every step we take is preceded by a great deal of groundwork. Everything has to be done in a precise, planned and calculated manner. We will respond to any provocation. We will continue to defend our vital security interests," he said.
"To paraphrase the familiar refrain, 'This is the time for biting, not barking,' and we will bite hard, though I hope we won't have to," Lieberman continued.
Lieberman also addressed the issue of Israel's relationship with Russia, specifically the security coordination in Syria designed to avoid military friction between the two countries. Lieberman described the coordination as efficient, saying it has "proven itself."
"Even when we don't agree," he said, "the fact that we maintain open and honest dialogue prevents a lot of unnecessary friction. It's obvious that both sides have their own interests; that each side sees the picture differently. But with that, throughout the years of civil war in Syria, we have managed to avoid a direct clash, and that alone is an accomplishment."
The defense minister declined to answer whether Iran's presence in Syria was already an established fact on the ground. "I already said, we will talk less and do what is necessary. We are not pundits; our job is to take action."
On the matter of U.S. policies and conduct in Syria and Lebanon, Lieberman said that "the United States is advancing its own interests, but it is our most important and strategic ally. Even after the action we took three days ago [in Syria], we saw that the U.S. openly stood behind us and backed the State of Israel, and we are thankful for that."
"They are not asking for our advice and they don't need us to advise them on how to manage their security matters and foreign policy," he added. "But we are certainly very happy with the support the United States has given Israel."
