Just as Benjamin Netanyahu refused to attend former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett's security briefings, so too does he refuse to attend those of our new Prime Minister Yair Lapid.
Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
What the opposition leader is trying to convey is that Lapid is "beneath him." Netanyahu has made it clear that he only wants to receive security updates from Lapid's military secretary, but without Lapid being present. In doing so, he is undermining a significant practice, and by definition, the state.
Had Netanyahu bothered to get an update over the weekend, he would have learned about the latest events, such as the strike attributed to the Israeli Air Force in Syria, targeting an area to the south of Tartus, which may have been routine, except the target is highly unusual.
It turns out that Iran has recently been making clandestine efforts to smuggle air defense systems and equipment into Syria. The Iranians, who are desperate to build up the Syrian air defense to disrupt the IAF's repeated attacks on their warehouses, want to develop capabilities in order to act independently of others.
The UAE-based Saudi television outlet Al-Arabiya reported over the weekend that the secret project is led by senior Revolutionary Guards officer Muhammad Sakai, who has been seen visiting Damascus several times recently. Sakari was scheduled to meet with members of the Syrian Air Force, and apparently, works with them in full cooperation. The actual air defense equipment Iran smuggles into Syria through the same air and land routes that it uses to smuggle weapons.
Saturday's strike appears to have targeted such equipment that had already made its way into Syria with the aim of using them against Israel in the future. Given the attack, one can assume that Israel is determined to make sure this does not happen and to maintain its air defense superiority.
The fact that we've found out about Sakai's should also make it clear to him that he and his actions are not a secret, and to force him to be careful so as not to be hurt.
Hezbollah's drones point to a similar Iranian effort. Hezbollah will try and justify it with the maritime controversy, but these are baseless claims, because there is no real controversy, and even if there was, it would not warrant a military attack. But Hezbollah's willingness to act on behalf of Iran and endanger Lebanon shows that the north is more volatile than ever.
These events also show that despite Israel's efforts to thwart Iran, the regime is determined to continue on this path. In this respect, Lapid's tenure will not be much different from those of his predecessors: he too is expected to continue to act against Iran, with all the strength and the means.
Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!
