(Ynet News) Ron Ben-Yishai - In my experience, you cannot go near the Syrian side of the border without Damascus' written permission. The presence of dozens of buses, shuttling Palestinians from what is known as the "refugee camps" near Damascus, also suggests that Sunday's infiltration incident was premeditated. Hundreds of people rushed the border fence and dozens effectively destroyed parts of it. These people knew that if they did anything not to the regime's liking they would be held accountable. Rami Makhlouf, Syrian President Bashar Assad's cousin, was quoted several days ago by the New York Times as saying that "if there is instability in Syria, there will be instability in Israel." IDF assessments made several weeks ago suggested that there was a chance the Syrian regime would try to "export" the unrest with the aim of turning the masses' rage and attention away from Damascus. There is no doubt that the "Nakba Day" events are a prelude to what might await come September, after the PA's UN bid for statehood.
2011-05-16 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive