Threats and turmoil in the Middle East have collectively reached one of the highest peaks in recent history with no stopping or slowing in sight.
Chemical weapon use was confirmed by the Assad regime in the bloody civil war in Syria. In neighboring Lebanon, four rockets were launched by terrorists towards Israel. Hezbollah is dirtying its hands in both countries, aggressively participating in the Syrian civil war with troops and arms, and holding more than 70,000 rockets in Lebanon, all of which are hidden within civilian infrastructure and aimed at Israel.
On Israel’s southern border, Iranian-proxy Hamas holds more than 10,000 rockets. Hamas’ charter rejects a two-state solution and the legitimacy of a Jewish state and calls for Israel’s complete annihilation.
In the West Bank, radical forces opposing the Palestinian Authority and a culture of conflict generate strong anti-Israel incitement and hatred.
Throughout the region, including within Lebanon, Syria and Sinai, the growing presence and threat of global jihad elements is of deep concern.
And, as attention in the Middle East jumps from one hotspot to another, the public is losing sight of the greatest threat to international peace and security: Iran’s military nuclear program. Iran is developing its breakout capacity by stockpiling large quantities of low enriched uranium, expanding its ability to swiftly enrich uranium, and advancing a parallel plutonium track.
Some may say the map is alarmist. Undeniably, the map is our geopolitical reality, and we will be vigilant in protecting our people and our borders.
It’s because of these threats Israel is ever more committed to maintaining our existing peace agreements with Jordan and Egypt, and reaching an historic peace agreement based on the principle of two states for two peoples – Israel the nation-state and homeland for the Jewish people and an Arab Palestinian state as the homeland for the Palestinian people.
Israel and Israelis yearn for a peace that allows Israel to be able to invest in ourselves, building a better society for our children, and creating a prosperous future.