JERUSALEM (JTA) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Iran and Hezbollah of being involved in the "slaughter" of civilians in Syria.
"We [see] what is happening in Syria where civilians are simply being slaughtered," Netanyahu said during Sunday’s regular Cabinet meeting. "We see the horrifying pictures of children and the elderly. This is a slaughter that is being perpetrated not only by the Syrian government. Iran and Hezbollah are helping it, and today the world needs to see this axis of evil: Iran-Syria-Hezbollah — the face of this axis of evil is fully revealed for what it is."
Nearly 100 civilians were killed this week in shelling by Syrian troops in the capital Damascus and throughout the country, according to reports. Thousands have been killed since the uprising began last year.
Vice Prime Minister Shaul Mofaz called the actions of the Syrian government a "genocide," and singled out Russia for criticism for providing Syria with arms.
Israeli President Shimon Peres on Saturday night as he left for the United States called on the world community to do more to stop the killings in Syria.
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