Netanyahu's warning to Syria: "We seek good relations but will respond strongly to threats"

"We have no intention of interfering in Syria's internal affairs; however, we will do whatever is necessary to ensure our security," Netanyahu said in a statement from the Kirya military headquarters in Tel Aviv on Tuesday evening.

He referenced Operation 'Bashan Arrow', explaining, "I authorized the Air Force to target strategic military assets left by the Syrian army to prevent them from falling into the hands of jihadists."

Netanyahu drew a comparison to the British Air Force's actions during World War II, when it bombed the Vichy regime's fleet to prevent it from falling under Nazi control. He addressed the new Syrian leadership directly, saying, "We want to establish relations with the new regime in Syria, but if it allows Iran to re-establish itself there, facilitates the transfer of Iranian weapons, or allows weapons to be smuggled to Hezbollah, or attacks us, we will respond forcefully and hold them accountable."

He concluded, "What happened to the previous regime will happen to this one as well."