(Jerusalem Post) - Herb Keinon From depriving the families of Palestinian suicide bombers of a $10,000 dividend, to placing Syria in a geographic vice, to removing the threat of a hostile eastern front, diplomatic officials and experts believe Saddam Hussein's fall will have immediate strategic ramifications for Israel. "Today the Arab countries will realize more than ever that Israel has the strongest ally in the world, and this will have an impact on our standing in the region," said former Foreign Ministry director-general Eitan Bentsur. One Foreign Ministry official said one of the likely U.S. demands of Syria now will be to rein in Hizballah. Another may be to close the 14 terrorist organization headquarters located in Damascus, which Israeli security officials say continue to give directives and stir up trouble in Gaza.
2003-04-11 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive