The deputy foreign minister addressed the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) in London on issues relating to the Middle East.  All war chatter is futile, Ayalon said, "at least in the near future." he added that Iran was the source of all the problems in the region. "If the Iranian issue is solved, the region will only be the better for it," he said. "Iran uses its nuclear ambitions as the means to create a regional hegemony." Referring to Syria as a gateway for Iran into the region, the deputy foreign minister said that "there are confusing and contradictory statements emanating from Damascus. However, at the end of the day we will judge Syria by its actions and not its words. Syria is dependent on Iran and provides Hezbollah with long-range missiles aimed at Israel as well as supporting and hosting ten terror organizations in Damascus.

 "The latest heightened rhetoric with Syria is because of Iran. Only Iran benefits from heightened tension in the region to deter attention from its nuclear weapons program. It is clear that when the Iranian issue is resolved, Syria will become more amenable." According to Ayalon, Israel will not strike in Syria. Iran will benefit from a conflict between Israel and Syria and Hezbollah, and we will not fall into that trap, he added. The deputy foreign minister added that Iran was a weak country working to strengthen itself through its ties with Syria and Hamas. He said that Iran was unable to stop the international economy from imposing sanctions against it, and added that the Islamic Republic may have additional nuclear facilities which have yet to be exposed.

As for the negotiations with the Palestinians, Ayalon made clear that the settlements posed no obstacle to peace. "We proved it in the past with Egypt and with Gaza," he said, adding that the main problem was the need for a partner on the other side.

"The settlements are something which can be changed," he said. "The matters are complicated and urgent, and so we much sit at the negotiating table immediately."

Ayalon noted that Ehud Barak, during his term as prime minister, had offered the Palestinians 92% of their demands. Ehud Olmert, he said, accepted 95% of the demands. "And yet, we are still willing to sit at the negotiating table without preconditions," he noted.

 (Ynet)