Barak Holds Lebanese Government Responsible for Hizbullah’s Escalations

Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak warned lawmakers against Hizbullah obtaining additional weapons and property because of instability in Syria.

Barak said Monday Israel “made sure to relay to the Lebanese government that it will be seen as responsible,” for any escalation on the border.

He discussed with members of the Knesset the turmoil in Syria, saying that “it will be hard for Assad’s regime to survive.”

“The Syrian regime has a dilemma,” Barak explained. “On the one hand, it wants there to be calm; on the other hand, it does not want to show weakness.”

The Defense Minister stressed that nearly 50 tons of explosives could be dropped on Israel during its next war, but said that despite this alarming statistic the Israel Defense Forces could retaliate by firing back 1,500 tons of ammunition with extreme precision.

"There is a significant effort being made by armies in Arab countries to diminish the military capabilities of the Israel Defense Forces by improving their antiaircraft technologies," Barak told the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.

Once Israel has finished equipping itself for every level of weapon interception, Barak added, "it will bring about a significant and positive change for Israel's strategic balance in the region."

Such an endeavor will take an investment of about NIS 7 billion (approximately $2 billion) and 20 years of preparation, said Barak, declaring that Israel must increase its defense budget to meet the challenge."