Text of report by Israeli newspaper Ma'ariv on 2 July

[Report by Amir Rapaport: "IDF Begins Large-Scale Exercise in Golan"]

Against the backdrop of the tension between Israel and Syria, the IDF will soon begin a broad series of training exercises on the Golan Heights. Jerusalem sent Damascus a message, according to which there is no plan to attack the Syrians, and that this is only defensive training. The current activity is part of the system of exercises decided on in the framework of the process of drawing lessons from the Second Lebanon War, in an effort to prevent a repeat situation in which forces are insufficiently trained.

The Israeli-Syrian tension began to mount a short time after the war in Lebanon, in the wake of statements by Syrian President Bashar al-Asad. At the time, Al-Asad said that if Israel did not heed his calls to conduct negotiations for returning the Golan through peaceful means, Syria would also prepare for the possibility of war. Officials in Israel internalized the statements and, on the order of IDF Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi, the IDF is currently completing its preparations in the event of war against Syria as early as this summer.

Financial Assistance From the Iranians

The Syrian military is also in the midst of efforts to prepare for a possible war, including training and infrastructure work on the Syrian side of the Golan Heights. Recently, Syria has even accelerated procurement of advanced weapons from Russia, among other ways through financial assistance that it is receiving from its ally, Iran.

A few days ago, Syrian Foreign Minister Faruq al-Shar'a [as reported] said that "Syria is taking seriously the preparations in Israel ahead of a war between the countries." According to him, "Syria prefers peace, but it is not interested in secret talks with Israel." He added that officials in Damascus have the impression that Israel, like the United States, does not want to move forward in the peace process. "Ehud Olmert is not serious about peace. Israel will make peace with us if we compromise on the return of all of our occupied land, but we won't do that."

Conflicting Opinions in the Intelligence Community

Conflicting opinions are being heard in the intelligence community around the question of whether Syria is sincere in its declaration that it is ready to reach a peace agreement with Israel. According to the agreed assessments, the Syrian preparations are mostly defensive, and do not signal an intention to attack Israel.

However, Syria could move from a defensive to an offensive posture within a very short time. Israeli officials are concerned that a gradual process of escalation is ultimately liable to lead to war, especially according to a scenario in which the Syrians would fear that Israel is plotting to attack them.

Sources in Jerusalem expressed concern that the series of training exercises that is about to begin on the Golan Heights may be interpreted by the Syrian side as advanced preparations for an attack in the coming months. Thus, a series of calming messages was sent to Damascus through international diplomatic channels. Over the coming weeks, many IDF regular forces will train in northern Israel, and they will be joined by reserve troops as well.