Israel's National Security and U.S. Relations

If Israel's intention is to stay in that buffer zone forever,

right, to restructure the way that we do our national security,

then we better clear this with the Americans, because Israel cannot take

territory of neighboring countries just because it decides to do so.

Well, it sounds like Trump does not want Israel to do that.

Well, I think that that should not come as a surprise.

I think President Trump said that from day one,

that he would want a negotiated agreement with each and every one of them.

He also wants this with Gaza.

This is why he built the Board of Peace.

In his mind, the 20 point plan,

eventually, when the conditions are ripe, we can think that this will never happen.

But according to the plan, if the conditions are met,

Israel will be expected to withdraw from the yellow line in Gaza as well.

In Lebanon and Gaza, it's clear. In Syria, it's not clear. What needs to happen.

Well, actually... Because in Gaza, Hamas disarmament will lead to withdrawal.

In Lebanon, Hezbollah's disarmament will lead to withdrawal.

In Syria, there isn't that clear kind of step that needs to happen

that will prompt Israel's withdrawal. It seems like it's more up to Israel.

Well, actually, it should have been easier in Syria, because there is no real enemy

on the other side of the border the way there is Hezbollah in Lebanon

and Hamas in Gaza.

And Israel was engaging with the Syrian government

when Minister Dermer was still a minister and doing this work.

He met with prominent Syrian ministers.

I don't know if this was ever exposed. I think it was.

But in any case, there was very clear interaction with the Syrians with the

purpose of reaching a

negotiated agreement to create security arrangements

in southern Syria in a way that would protect Israel's interests,

protect the Jewish community, and

allow Israel to withdraw and continue this process. Now, this didn't happen.

If this didn't happen because the Syrians are not trustworthy at all,

then why does President Trump keep saying that we should do this?

Haven't we been able to convince the American intelligence

apparatus and political echelon that this is not a real deal?

I think this is not the reason.