Officials in Israel are concerned that tensions between the United States and Russia could impact Israeli military operations in Syria, the Kan public broadcaster reports.
The report says deliberations were held today on the matter, after US President Joe Biden called his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin a “killer.”
Israel has regularly carried out strikes in Syria as part of efforts to prevent Iran from entrenching itself on the border. Russia is a backer of the Assad regime in the Syrian civil war, as is Iran.
In an interview with Channel 13 news, Defense Minister Benny Gantz calls Biden’s remark about Putin “strange and extreme,” before stressing Israel doesn’t wish to get involved in US-Russia ties.
He says Israel has a “clear interest” in maintaining close ties with the United States and that there are “serious work ties” with Russia. Gantz also says he doesn’t believe the spat will undermine Israel’s security interests.
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