Ya'alon: Israel has deterrence in Golan, eyes on Islamic State
Defense Minister downplays immediate threat from IS and Iran on Israel's northern border.
By JPOST.COM STAFFUpdated: NOVEMBER 16, 2015 10:45Former defense minister Moshe Yaalon(photo credit: REUTERS)
Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon told Israel Radio Monday that Israel is succeeding in deterring Islamic State (IS) from attacking the country from Syria.The former IDF Chief of Staff claimed Israel follows IS activity and support in Gaza and the West Bank, on top of Syria.Ya'alon also stated that Iran had similar aspirations. "The Iranians have tried to open up a front against Israel from Syria, but the initiative failed," he said.The Iranian "initiative" dates back to the beginning of the year, at least.In January this year, an air strike attributed to Israel killed Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) General Mohammed Allahdadi, along with a number of IRGC and Hezbollah operatives near the Israeli-Syrian border.The strike didn't immediately deter Iranian efforts, however.Later in January, Hezbollah fired two Kornet missiles at an IDF convoy on the Israeli side of the border, killing two and injuring seven soldiers and officers.In April and May, Ya'alon and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Iran's objectives in the area had failed. However in August it was reported that Iran, through Hezbollah, was continuing to attempt to establish terrorist cells and a “forward command” of the IRGC’s Al-Quds Force in the Golan Heights.In September, cabinet minister Yuval Steinitz publicly voiced his concerns over Iranian activity in the Golan.