Photo Courtesy of UN-Photo/Marco Castro
The threat of chemical weapons reaching terrorists during the civil war in Syria has Israel concerned, so much so that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu implied they would be willing to attack in Syria over it. Those in Europe and the US should be concerned as well. In a recent interview with Lyse Doucet of the BBC, Netanyahu said terrorists acquiring chemical weapons is a “worldwide” threat.
Terrorists linked to al-Qaeda are already in Syria, meaning that if they acquire chemical weapons they could try to use them in an attack in the US or Europe, as well as Israel.
Media reports claimed earlier this year that Israel bombed weapons in Syria believed to be headed for Hezbollah terrorists in Lebanon. Netanyahu did not confirm to the BBC that Israel carried out the strike. However, he did specifically mention chemical weapons and anti-aircraft weapons as potential “game changers” in the wrong hands. The New York Times reported that the previous strike in Syria was thought to be against anti-aircraft weapons.
Such weapons could prevent Israel from defending itself adequately against attacks from Hezbollah, as well as important air reconnaissance of the terrorists and their large missile stockpile.
Beyond the terrorist risk, Syria’s chemical weapons also should stand out to readers of Biblical prophecy. The Book of Isaiah mentions a catastrophe in Damascus, Syria’s capital, and that could involve chemical weapons, war with Israel, or both.
For more on Syria and prophecy, click here.
Netanyahu told the BBC that Israel is “not aggressive. We don’t seek military confrontation, but we are prepared to defend ourselves if the need arises.”
(By Joshua Spurlock, www.themideastupdate.com, April 18, 2013)