RNA - "Defending our borders is our right, and it's our duty, not only our right. If we don't do it as officials when we can do it, we should be blamed by the Syrian people, we should be held accountable. So, we don't have to ask ourselves that question, whether there were statements by Israeli officials or not. We don't base our policy and decisions on their statements," Assad told Russian journalists, Sputnik reported.
The Syrian president made the remarks commenting on a statement by Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman about the intention to destroy Syria's air defense systems in the event of attacks on Israeli aircraft,
He added that he thought Russia could play an important role in that regard while being guided by international law.
Syrian President Bashar Assad also told Russian reporters that the White Helmets non-governmental organization members are supporters of al-Qaeda terrorist organization.
Assad noted that the same members of the organization, who were considered to serve for humanitarian purposes, were engaged in killings.
"White Helmets are al-Qaeda, they're al-Qaeda members and that's proven on the net," Assad said.
"The same members are killing or executing or celebrating over dead bodies, at the same time they are humanitarian heroes, and now they have an Oscar as you know," Assad said.
White Helmets' activities in Syria have repeatedly been questioned. However, mainstream media and even Hollywood praised the organization, which suspiciously worked only in areas controlled by Fatah al-Sham Front, also known as al-Nusra Front terrorist group, which used to be affiliated with al-Qaeda.
One of the most controversial decisions at this year's Oscar ceremony was the fact that The White Helmets, a movie produced by digital giant Netflix, won Best Documentary Short. For the company, it was their first-ever Oscar at the prestigious ceremony.
The Russian Defense Ministry has repeatedly raised the issue of White Helmets' controversial activity in Syria.
However, a number of videos emerged in the Internet revealing that the rescue operations were staged with the "victims" wearing make-up and given instructions what to say. The rescue workers were allegedly seen on some videos with arms and in military uniform.
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