Israeli President Shimon Peres. Photo: David Shankbone.

The President of the State of Israel, Shimon Peres, said as Western countries publicly mull attacking Syria in response to its use of chemical weapons against civilians, Syria’s threats in the media against Israel, “are an attempt to create panic.” But, Peres said, “Israel is too experienced to fall for false propaganda.”

“Israel was not, and is not, involved in the Syrian fighting but if anyone tries to harm us we will respond with all our might,” Peres said, in a statement, after visiting the Jerusalem headquarters of Israel’s police force on Thursday. “Israel has a strong army, modern and powerful and a more advanced defense system than ever before which protects our land, our skies and our citizens. We should all have faith in the IDF.“

President Peres said chemical weapons use in Syria is a crime against humanity that demands a global response. The country’s civil war between rebels and the regime of President Bashar al-Assad is no longer a local issue, he said. “The situation in Syria is not a local incident but a crime against humanity and a breach of international law. As such the responsible world is coming together to respond. Syria has crossed a moral boundary. The whole world was witness to the horrific pictures of Syrian children who lay dead on the floor.”

“President Obama spoke on behalf of the whole of humanity when he said this breach of international law, this mass murder could not go without an appropriate response. We must understand that the response is global, not local,” President Peres said. “We are seeing a serious coalition coming together, both militarily and diplomatically.”