The Republican War Mongers regarding the MIddle East really are way off base.

IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz (click title to entry - thank you) with Defense Minister Ehud Barak in the Golan Heights.

Photo by: Defense Ministry Israel is accepting refugees from Syria.  Israel has been and always will be interested in PEACE between itself and its neighbors.  It would be wise for Iran to realize exactly how interested in peace Israel actually is and has always been. Assad had to realize that once the Syrian people reached their tolerance of his regime it was going to be met with a strong effort to remove him and his military.  Hezbollah has been entrenched in resistence for a long time in Syria, much of that time its efforts were aimed at Lebanon and Israel.  But, the really it neither Israel or Lebanon had oppressed them, their own government did.  The reason Hezbollah has been displacing their efforts against neighbors to Syria is because that was always Assad's focus.  Assad was always over reaching his authority across borders.  With the Arab Spring giving new reality to the citizens of the MIddle East, there was a new focus for and they removed themselves from the 'violent old ways' and seek change through passive resistence.  When Assad met their passive resistence and their civil disobedience with violence against his own people, there was no holding back a populous now aware of their real enemy.  Israel has always been tolerant.  It has sometimes over reacted to threats at its borders.  Israel at times has been unjust within its borders with Palestinians.  But, with the Middle East moving their focus off Israel to realize their oppressors far exceed a simple scapegoat, Israel may find a greater opportunity for humanitarian connections to Arabs in need. ...Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Benny Gantz said Tuesday that Israel is preparing to absorb Alawite refugees once Syrian President Bashar Assad's regime collapses, which he expects to happen in the coming months. Speaking at a Knesset Defense and Foreign Affairs committee meeting, Gantz said Assad's turmoil could cause him to seek a military confrontation with Israel.... I would never expect Israel to change its defensive approach to their national security.  It is not prudent for Israel to lower their expectations of defending their autonomy, but, I would not expect Israel to become an aggressor nation in the MIddle East.  Quite the contrary, I would expect Israel to eventually move into a movement toward peace with a newly resolved Arab League.  In many ways the Arab Spring is 'too good to be true' for Israel and there are still questions as the 'intent' of newly elected governments. ..."Assad cannot continue holding on to power and his downfall is expected to cause a crack in the radical axis," Gantz said. "Assad and the Syrian regime may have a hard time acting against us in the short-term, but we also need to take into account that Syria has advanced weapons systems. They have advanced Russian arms such as Yakhont missiles." The IDF chief said that he was not sure whether the Golan Heights, which border with Syria, will remain quiet in the near future. "Assad is not the same type as [Former Libyan leader Muammar] Gahdafi, who fights until the last bullet down in the sewer. The day that the Syrian regime will fall, it will issue a blow to the Alawites, and we are preparing to absorb those refugees." Gantz also discussed other threats the IDF perceives.... It would be a folly for the Arab League to allow Israel to wonder as to its own security with such dynamic shifts in power in many of its member countries.  The Arab League is proving to be a guiding force in the Middle East, I would think its ultimate challenge would be to bring all its member nations to the table with Israel to hammer out a sustainable peace and a permanent Palestine Nation. I would not expect a 'perfect start' to such efforts, but, I believe all parties are capable of ending the turmoil of the Middle East and establish a stable region. I believe the Arab Spring is bringing a new savviness to the Arab League.  I have been impressed with their resolve and willingness to work with the people.  Their initiatives in Syria cannot be denied as one of the more brave approaches I have witnessed among members of the Arab League in all its existence.  They are working to secure the people against violence to allow representative governments to grow.  That is not only impressive, it is historical for this region.  Quite amazing actually.  Good allies and trade partners are growing.