"If we doubt the US's readiness to attack Iran when the moment of truth arrives, and if we hold the opinion that nuclear weapons in Iranian hands will undermine Israel's security to the point of concrete danger to its existence, then the conclusion is that Israel must attack, attack no matter what."
Mr Netanyahu has refrained from commenting publicly on Mr Obama's decision to seek congressional approval before embarking on military strikes in response to Syria's alleged use of chemical weapons.
At Sunday's weekly cabinet meeting, the prime minister appealed to ministers to avoid criticising the Obama administration's stance after Uri Ariel, the hardline housing minister, and Naftali Bennett, the economy minister and leader of the Jewish Home party, went public with their unhappiness.
"I am asking, don't act injudiciously and irresponsibly toward our ally in order to win a momentary headline," Mr Netanyahu was quoted as saying. "I am calling on everyone ? continue to act responsibly. This is important for the safety of Israel's citizens."
By contrast, Shimon Peres, Israel's president effusively praised Mr Obama's decision and predicted that the US would eventually act against Syria.
"I am certain that the US will respond against Syria," he told Army Radio. "I can't go into operative details. I don't think that exercising judgment means stammering. I think that it is permissible to weigh matters; it is better to weigh before and not after. I have confidence in [Mr Obama] when it comes to Israel."
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