But only hours after his "fascinating" threats, Lieberman and those surrounding him perceived that he has made a huge "mistake."
In his first reaction, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has instructed Cabinet Secretary Tzvi Hauser to call all government ministers and order them to refrain from making any Syria-related remarks.
But the issue is not limited to the official "mum" imposed by Netanyahu on Lieberman as well as his "colleagues" in the Israeli cabinet. Lieberman has in fact turned himself to the "scapegoat" as Zionist analysts believe that Israel is too weak to overthrow the regime in Syria given that Damascus has benefitted from the experience of the July war in Lebanon, something that should push Israel to reconsider its position in any new confrontation.
Liberman was, in this context, accused of seeking to provoke Israel into a war it doesn't want at this moment. "We, in the security institution in Israel, believe that settlement with Syria is a strategic goal and therefore, we should sit down and discuss the issue instead of exchanging verbal threats," Israel Defense Minister Ehud Barak said in response.
Experts in the Middle East affairs said in turn that Lieberman's threats and speeches were harmful to the Israeli deterrence, given that such threat cannot be taken as serious by the Syrian people. They emphasized that to think rationally, Israel wouldn't be able to overthrow the Syrian regime. They recalled how Israel failed in toppling Hezbollah in Lebanon in 2006, pointing out that any war with Syria wouldn't be easy given the increase of the Syrian military force.
For its part, Israeli daily Yedihot Ahronot said that the Syrians have discovered a weakness in the Israeli stance and therefore were not scare anymore.
05/02/2010 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has instructed Cabinet Secretary Tzvi Hauser to call all government ministers Thursday and order them to refrain from making any Syria-related remarks.
The move followed heightened tensions vis-à-vis Damascus in recent days.
Earlier Thursday, the Israeli prime minister spoke with Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman in the wake of the latest threats directed by Lieberman at the Syrian regime.
Netanyahu and Lieberman later issued a joint statement, saying "Israel is seeking peace and wants to engage in political negotiations with Syria, without pre-conditions. Nevertheless, Israel will continue to fiercely and firmly respond to any potential threat."
Meanwhile, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak also attempted Thursday to allay the growing tensions.
US URGES SYRIA, ISRAEL TO SHOW RESTRAINT
As tension continues to rise between Damascus and Tel Aviv, the United States is urging Syria and Israel to show restraint and return to the negotiations table.
Al-Sharq al-Awsat newspaper on Friday quoted sources in Washington who addressed the tension, and called for Syria to "show restraint and not take any measures that would hinder launching negotiations."
According to the report, the source added that "Washington is working seriously towards renewing peace talks swiftly, and on all channels," including between Israel and Syria.
In addition, the source stated that "there are issues that are still pending, and are a cause for concern for Syria," which they said would be handled by the designated American ambassador to Damascus, Robert Ford, as soon as his appointment is approved by the Senate.
Meanwhile, the paper also quoted Syrian officials who responded to remarks made by Lieberman, who threatened to bring down Syrian President Bashar Assad's regime in the event of a war with Israel.
According to the report, the Syrian officials believe "the reason for these remarks may be messages that Lieberman meant to convey within Israel" or what they called "a cover for the current Israeli government's lack of ability to live up to commitments that call for a just and inclusive peace process."
River to Sea
Uprooted Palestinian
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