Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu. Photo: Screen shot.

JNS.org – While a U.S. congressional vote on military action is on hold in light of the Obama Administration’s consideration of a Russian proposal to transfer Syria’s chemical weapons to international supervision, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday that the response on Syria “will be clearly heard in Iran.”

“It now must be ensured that the Syrian regime will be disarmed of its chemical weapons, and the world needs to make certain that those who use weapons of mass destruction will pay the price for it,” Netanyahu said at a graduation ceremony in Haifa for Israel Navy cadets, Israel Hayom reported. “The message that Syria receives will be clearly heard in Iran.”

Addressing the possibility of Syrian retaliation against Israel if the U.S. takes action, Netanyahu said, “Today, the rule that has guided me in most of my actions as prime minister and to which I adhere very carefully is perhaps more valid than ever. If I am not for myself, who will be for me? If we are not for ourselves, who will be for us? And the practical translation of this rule is that Israel will always be able to defend itself by itself against any threat.”