Rami Makhlouf, Syrian business tycoon and cousin to Bashar al-Assad told the
New York Times Tuesday, "If there is no stability [in Syria], there's no way there will be stability in Israel."
Makhloud said the comment was not a threat, and rather explained that it would be beneficial for Western governments not to put too much pressure on the Syrian government, and that no one could guarantee what would happen if the Assad regime were deposed, the
New York Times reported.