'Iran supplied Syria with radar system to thwart surprise Israel attack'

Israel ultimately shouldn`t care much what the world thinks. Israel should concern itself with it`s own survival. Did the world do anything to stop the Holocaust? Did the world stop the Armenian genocide? Did anybody do anything to stop Chairman Mao or Josef Stalin from murdering millions? Did the world stop the Millions from being slaughtered in Africa or Cambodia? The world is for the most part moraly backrupt and irrelevant except for a few democracies such as the USA. Israel`s cause is righteous unlike most of the world which only pretends to care and does nothing.

....A defense system can protect offensive weapons, such as nuclear warheads.

1) Israel (and its close ally the Bush administration) were the only countries that started wars wars in our neighborhood the past decade ... Iraq war, Lebanon war in 2006, and the Gaza attack 2009 ... Not to mention attacking Syria in 2007 Iran did not start any way, Syria did not. But your PR machine is so cute ... the Wall Street Journal's article complained that the radar can "THREATEN Israel's ability to launch an attack" .... poor Israel. 2) With your logic, no country in the area is allowed to defend itself except Israel?

I like your use of logic, but it's faulty. The article states that Iran does in fact benefit, and that Syria will now be able to warn Tehran if the IAF does decide to undertake any sort of mission against Iran. They wouldn't just give these capabilities to Syria for no reason. In addition, the Resolution specifically bans transfer of these items, not just sale. Personally, as an American, I'm also not a fan of Purposive Interpretation.

The Journal of course does not know what Iran has in mind. The benefit it imagines is very unlikely. Going over Syria to attack Iran must be followed by going over Iraqi air space, i.e., US controlled space. And if the US agrees to this, it is likely its allies Jordan and Saudi Arabia would agree too, so why take the dangerous route over Syria? Plain silly. In any case, countries don't do favors to others for nothing, there will be some benefit to Iran, but then you need to "balance" the good vs. bad parts; is the Syrian need for (free) protection greater than whatever indirect benefit Iran gets, etc. In any case, the "Purposive" interpretation is also used in the US, not only in the desire to look at "original intent" of the constitution by conservatives (in a document older than 200 years), but even the a soon to be judge, liberal Kagan, who just yesterday told congress that the first thing the judge needs to do is look at the intent of Congress.

So, UN articles apply to Iran but not Israel? Nice!

I'm not really up on the Kagan thing (I've been out of the States for a year and American politics depress me) but like I said I don't like the whole "original intent" concept because of issues like constitutional interpretation. Anywho, these radars have effective ranges and the placement of the radar is the big issue considering Syria's proximity. Personally I don't think that Obama would ever allow Israel over Iraqi airspace (Bush Sr. didn't even allow it during Desert Storm), but there are a number of routes to be taken when considering mid-air refueling. Also I don't personally see how the Syrian need for advanced radar systems is more pressing than Iran's ability to continue weapons development unabated.

THANK YOU!

Give Syrian pilots American aircrafts and weapons and give Israel pilots Russian aircrafts and weapons and you'll who the best pilots are.

the military result is a big unknown.however israel cannot sustain war with iran.at best a pyrrhic result.so mo war.because any result will completely transform israel's position and policies,even under duress.the israeli "right" should be the last to want this potentially momentous historical change of direction.

There has never been a single time Israel undertook any sort of military action that wasn't in response to either a severe, violent provocation or outright declaration of war (if you want to disagree throw out some examples and I'll explain them). Now then every country does have a right to defend themselves in the Middle East. However they do not have a right to achieve this end by dealing with Iran. Additionally, if Israel wants to undertake a mission against its nuclear operations, it is important that now these systems in Syria present another hurdle. A mission against Iran's nuclear capabilities is good for the whole world, and especially the EU which would have territories well within Iran's range. Now then, there is a different between "can defeat" and "won't defeat". Israel could defeat Hamas and Hezbollah tomorrow if they wanted to, but it would mean turning Gaza and Lebanon into craters. Israel doesn't want to just go around indiscriminately killing civilians- its bad for PR and its just kind of a jerk thing to do. The US and the UK on the other hand have blasted the world half to hell and racked up tens of thousands of civilian deaths. Even the most generous figures provided by Hamas on their own death toll don't stack up.

ISreal under international law, illegally occupies the west bank and east jerusalem.golan heaights and shebaa farms, carrys out assassinations using identity thefts this is a clear provacation for war. Human rights watch,amnesty international and bet salem all unanomously agree that isreal is in violation of geneva conventions,Un resolutions and a host of other international laws. Can credible organisations and millions of people around the world be wrong or anti-semetic? Isreal continues to violate lebanese airspace on a daily basis which is against international law however in return isreal does not get invaded by lebanon or has rockets fired at it, isreal acts without impunity so much so that there are not enough hours in day to document them all. However when aid activists are in international waters carrying aid to 1.5 millions gazans who are being collectively punished for democratically voting Hamas they are massacred on the high seas. You mentioned PR however isreal has long ago been defeated in the PR battle and the battle for hearts and minds right across the globe amoung muslim,sunni ,shia christian,orthodox jew etc. Human rights organisations have figures on casulties which are in line with the figures that Hamas has provided, and are certainly not parallel to the ones provided by isreal.

And you would have been wrong all three times! Try coaxing your heroes in Gaza and Lebanon to wear uniforms when they fight and to leave their women, grandparents, and children behind when they instigate acts of war against Israel.

if they had a fraction of all the arms provided to Israel. It is called "guerilla tactics". It is used by weaker parties to an all powerful bully. Ever heard of the partizans or the maquis?

Syrai abnd iran and now turkey are the bad guys, they support terrorism worldwide. But dont worry, the radar will soon be a pile of twisted Junk or worse jammed and made useless

Do you amputate before the diagnosis Mark Gary Blumenthal, MD ?

Israel only attacks those who make war on Israel. History prooves this. But you don`t know much history and you believe most of the anti Israel nonsense you hear. How sad for you that your mind has been made blind to the truth. Why are you not complaining about the USA killing terrorists from unmanned drones? The terrorist in Afganistan have to means of defending themselves against drones. Could it be you are infected by antisemetism?

I wonder...maybe somebody knows...Is Israel the only country which has the right for the self-defence when concerning the neighbouring countries like Iran,Syria, Lebanon ?

We expect that in the future, when Iran gets its bombs, it passes them to the Hizbullah by Syria. The IDF will want to quickly destroy the convoy but will get detected at Syria's borders. So two choices: it attacks and provokes international complaints. Or it doesn't attack and we get some millions of our own deaths on our minds.

if they feel they have the advantage. Who do you fear Sderot kids? Is that why Hamas fired thousands of missiles at them? Amazing the entitlement to victimhood as soon as Israel strikes BACK!

How many were killed by rocket attacks? Now how many civilians were killed by IDF bombings, bulldozings, and shooting and rock throwers ? Ever hear of disproportionate use of force ?

Iran doesn't even give its more advanced missiles to hezbollah or syria, nevertheless, the nukes. Anybody knows that one mistake with the nukes would mean the total destruction of Iran. Iran didn't even use its chemical weapons arsenal when it was being subjected to daily chemical bombs by Iraq. It's one thing to supply radar (a defensive measure against preemptive strike). The US has supplied Israel with illegal weapons for years and Israel shamelessly used them on Gaza and Lebanon (WP/cluster bombs). Your advocating attack on Iran would mean death of innocent Iranians in the millions which would also guarentee reciprocity for our people. Your disregard for international complaint is reprehensible. The most fear the Iranian gov has isn't tiny Israel or even the US. It is the people of Iran and its ever-growing opposition movement. Any stupid (and yes, stupid) attack would only weaken the movement and solidify power of the gov. That's what you don't want. Although I truly believe it is what your government wants.

Who decides what`s an illegal weapon? The same weapons the USA gives to Israel are the same weapons NATO gets from the USA. Your comment reeks of antisemetism. These weapons are illegal if they are given to Israel but not to NATO? Israel will decide for itself what is legal or illegal. Many of these same weapons were used in Afganistan against the Taliban so please learn the facts before commenting.

Syria has another Anti aircraft system called the Strelets and the Pantsir short range anti aircraft system. Irans radar is likely designed to give Iran advanced warning of Israeli air activity, as any sortie on Iran's nuclear facilities will involve hundreds of aircraft to make any meaningful dent in Iran's nuclear ambitions.

If he IAF wishes too launch so many aircraft that even the birds will find it difficult to fly, believe me General Linthwaite, all the radar readings will be similar to those found in Iran, whilst IAF drones were loitering over the intended launch of a space missile on Mr.Obamas office taking ceremony. This is not about Iranian High Tech, its about reinforcing Hizbullah and seeking a confrontation with Israel. It appears that the sanctions are now confirming what many feared, letting loose the RG in the general direction of Israel and the Gulf States.

then Iran does as well.

They do not swap them around , they do make mock up dummies for photo op. Both countries have thousands of other missiles of various ages,types and range. Both countries are isolated and shunned by the West. Both countries are on the US list as terrorist sponsor states. Both countries will at some stage face huge domestic upheaval and implode. Strange, both countries are run by dictators, dictatorships normally get overthrown by other dictators, guess the missiles help to keep some perspective of power in those ruddy minds.

Res 1747: "Decides that Iran shall not supply, sell or transfer directly or indirectly from its territory or by its nationals or using its flag vessels or aircraft any arms or related materiel, and that all States shall prohibit the procurement of such items from Iran..." Since that is a "decision" of the UNSC then all member states are required to obey it, and so this would indeed appear to be a violation of that resolution.

:-)

Iran would definitely be in violation is it placed early warning radar in Syria ("or transfer directly or indirectly from its territory"), but it is unclear if Syria would be in violation if it merely allowed an Iran-owned radar system to be based inside Syria. After all, the prohibition on all member states is on the "procurement of such items", and Assad could argue he hasn't "procured" the system at all; he is merely allowing Iran to use his territory as a convenient site for the Iranians to place their own radar.

don't want a pointless investigation. We know the aim of the terrorist flotilla

I would say a majority of people in the world want an investigation.

I as part of "people of the world" demand an investigation in Cuba,Sudan,Rusia,China,Iran, Venezuela,Siria,Turkey,etc.

You must be really p*ssed about that!!

So who is it ought not be trusted?

That territory was aquiered after Syria and Egypt attacked Israel for the third time in its short history. That war killed almost three thousand Israeli's. Also ,it was after years of shelling at the communities living in the shadow of the Golan. I think its a fair price for damages done,

There is nothing illegal about Israel owning the Golan Hieghts. Israel conquered and liberated it legaly in a defensive war. Syria made the mistake of going to go to war with Israel. To the winner goes the spoils of war. That`s how it`s been since the begining of time. Please learn the facts and stop whinning on behalf of that murderous tyrant Assad.

"Israel conquered and liberated it legaly in a defensive war." This is, of course, such breathtaking chutzpah when one considers that ISRAEL started the Six Day War. But even the most one-eyed commentator would have to acknowedge that a law that says "You can not conquer territory.... unless you conquered it defensively" leaves open a loophole that is SO BIG that it makes that law pointless. After all, even the GERMANS claimed that they were attacked by Poland in 1939, and it was only after the war that the incident was shown to have been staged by the Gestapo.

"Israel argues that it may retain the Golan Heights as the text of Security Council Resolution 242 adopted after the Six-Day War calls for "safe and recognized boundaries free from threats or acts of force".[16]-^ a b c Y.Z Blum "Secure Boundaries and Middle East Peace in the Light of International Law and Practice" (1971) pages 24-46" WIKIPEDIA

The word "may" gives the game away, or didn't you notice? Israel does NOT claim that the Golan Heights is already Israeli sovereign territory, and that it argues that it "may" retain it - somehow - has about as much declarative worth as me saying that I "may" win the lottery or I "may" get picked at fullforward for the Sydney Swans. Both are possible (if monumentally unlikely) but by making that statementI am not claiming that I am already rich *or* that I am already a goal-kicking maestro.

// Stephen M. Schwebel – Judge of International Court of Justice The state of the law has been correctly summarized by Elihu Lauterpacht, who points out that: territorial change cannot properly take place as a result of the unlawful use of force. But to omit the word “unlawful” is to change the substantive content of the rule and to turn an important safeguard of legal principle into an aggressor’s charter. For if force can never be used to effect lawful territory change, then, if territory has once changed hands as a result of the unlawful use of force, the illegitimacy of the position thus established is sterilized by the prohibition upon the use of force to restore the lawful sovereign. // RESTORE the LAWFUL SOVEREIGN. When was it Sovereign to Israel?

// Stephen M. Schwebel – Judge of International Court of Justice The state of the law has been correctly summarized by Elihu Lauterpacht, who points out that: territorial change cannot properly take place as a result of the unlawful use of force. But to omit the word “unlawful” is to change the substantive content of the rule and to turn an important safeguard of legal principle into an aggressor’s charter. For if force can never be used to effect lawful territory change, then, if territory has once changed hands as a result of the unlawful use of force, the illegitimacy of the position thus established is sterilized by the prohibition upon the use of force to restore the lawful sovereign. // RESTORE the LAWFUL SOVEREIGN. When was it Sovereign to Israel? As for your twaddle "That`s how it`s been since the begining of time." Since at least 1945 it has been inadmissible to 'acquire' territory by war.

The US kept promising help in breaking the blockade but did nothing.They were "neutral in word thought and deed" Nasser also kicked out the UN peacekeepers and marched his army to Israels borders. Jordan despite being repeatedly asked to stay out was Arab first and started bombing Jeusalem.Syria & Nasser anounced they were going to destroy Israel. Nasser created the state of war,no matter how much and how often fellow travellers want to rewrite history Do you know how SMALL Israel is?

//Stephen M. Schwebel – Judge of International Court of Justice The state of the law has been correctly summarized by Elihu Lauterpacht, who points out that: territorial change cannot properly take place as a result of the unlawful use of force. But to omit the word “unlawful” is to change the substantive content of the rule and to turn an important safeguard of legal principle into an aggressor’s charter. For if force can never be used to effect lawful territory change, then, if territory has once changed hands as a result of the unlawful use of force, the illegitimacy of the position thus established is sterilized by the prohibition upon the use of force to restore the lawful sovereign.// Res 242 (and others) are not talking about territory being restored to a sovereign.

Israel created the state of war, no matter how much and how often pro-Israelis-policies such as yourself want to rewrite history Do you know how SMALL Gaza is?

But please do continue living in the dark ages....

Israel is at war with "no peace ever" Hamas

it's a pretty simple one: can you name the Israeli-flagged ship that was prevented from sailing to Eilat by the Egyptian Navy in 1967? The laws of the sea are clear on this matter: a blockade must be "effective" if it is to be regarded as a blockade. Egypt talked the talk, but it didn't actually stop a single Israeli ship from sailing into Eilat. I know the reason why, PETER SM, but I suspect very much that you do not......

The last such "armed conflict" was called Operation Cast Lead, and Olmert called it off by declaring a ceasefire. Don't you remember?

I hope the SAS tactic isn't as stupid as folk who can't be bothered reading the article they comment on.

lets have some more CJ " proven and corroborated facts".

It is an early warning system for Iran, based in Syria, hence we you jam it Syria put a call to Iran and Iran goes on alert. So creating false alarms but Iran on and off false alert, they get complacent they don't monitor radars, they fall asleep as they believe it is another false alarm, just when they drop their guard we hit them or perhaps it is just another false alarm.

Pity they fall to pieces

The latest and most advanced anti radr missile systems for tehir jets. They have multiple seeker and location rememberance after they have been fired. Even iff the radar is turned off, its too bad. will be intresting to see these be taken out

What do you know about deterrent??? Nothing!!! If you think that a radar system, supplied by Iran to Syrian is a problem for Israel, then you are not in touch with the military world. Were you a soldier?? I don think so because you behave like a troubled terrorist, very negative and scared like the rest of your commentators.

a few satalite dishes to syria from Iran. hardly reaching parity. On the other hand, I guess assad can enjoy watching the turkish soapies now.

why are Israel and the United States complaining about a Radar station which was actually delivered to Syria a year ago? A full evaluation been done which show that it threatens Israeli overflights of Syria on the way to iran? Also neither of you has answered the question I posed which is that countries such as Lebanon and Syria have bypassed Israeli military technology by purchasing tens of thousands of missiles and rockets to hit any part of Israel. A scenerio never faced by Israel before, and with the radar stations both in Syria and lebanon are beginning to neutralise Israel's preferred means of defence, bombing from the air. Meanwhile the clock is ticking that Iran will achieve nuclear parity with Israel, which will effectively neutralise the Israel military. When those bombs are passed on to Syria and hezbollah. Yep from where I am sat Israel's policy of detterence is working.

ANYTHING THAT COULD BE USED TO THREATEN ISRAEL'S EXISTANCE SHOULD BE VIEWED AS A POTENTIAL THREAT... THIS IS NOT PARANOIA..IT IS JUST PLAIN COMMON SENSE... THAT IS NOT COMMON TODAY AT ALL..

How is a radar a potential threat unless Israel aircraft enter Syrian or Lebanese airspace?

do you have any idea how much technology an F22 Raptor have? you really belive that any kind of radar can track planes with that kind of steath technology?

but a waste of time if it's to advance his own population's standard of living

For your information, it did exist and quietly transferred to Syria when the inspectors were closing in & were given a run-around by Saddam. Those are the same scuds that are now transferred to Hizbullah & or are being trained by the Syrians. Just dont comment if you dont have the correct information.

..your imagination? Or some planted propaganda news story?

ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THEN WORDS... ISRAEL NEEDS NUKES...CAN'T YOU SEE WHY ?? WITH INSANITY ON EVERY SIDE... JUST LOOK AT THEIR FACES (IRAN & SYRIA) THEY LOOK LIKE THE MEANEST...MOST UNHAPPY PEOPLE THAT EVER WALKED THE EARTH.. BECAUSE SATAN IS RULING THEM... NOT GOD OF ISRAEL...NOT YESHUA MESSIAH-JESUS CHRIST.. NOT MESSIAH YESHUA'S LOVE IN THEIR HEARTS

Did not realize you were much more advanced then the CIA and US satellites. Oh well, if Cohen said it, it must be gospel. Get real dude.