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Photo: Amit Magal
Photo: Eli Elgarat
Rivlin. 'Don't remain silent'
Photo: Eli Elgarat

Likud MK: Hamas, Hizbullah sense Israel's weakness

Opposition MKs call on government to launch full-scale attack in north, south in response to recent escalation; 'This is war and Israel must act accordingly,' one MK says

Strong leadership? The political system has been receiving alarming reports throughput Wednesday concerning the abduction of two soldiers in Israel's north and the consequent opening of a second military front on the Lebanese border, in addition to the ongoing fighting in Gaza.

 

 

Most members of the opposition preferred to wait until the picture clears up, but some were quick to make statements and blame the government for the apparent recent security failures.

 

Knesset Member Arieh Eldad (National Union) said that "the abduction of soldiers in the north, juts like the kidnapping in the south, prove again that we can't run from terror. In order to put a stop to the threat to Israel, we must launch a war in the north and in Gaza and destroy the terror organizations."

 

'We must go to war'

 

MK Effie Eitam (National Union) called on Defense Minister Amir Peretz to resign his post, claiming that "everything we have warned against is materializing – from the escape from Lebanon to fleeing from Gush Katif. The entire State is being blackmailed by abductions and rockets from the north and south."

 

"There's no choice. The war has been forced upon us – we must go to war and break the terror siege. We need a response that will rattle the Lebanon government and the Hamas-led government," he stated.

 

In the Likud, MKs were careful not to lash out at the government in the first hours after the abduction. However, MK Reuven Rivlin said in response to the strike in the north: "We are in a state of war and must not remain silent. Our deterrence capabilities have been seriously undermined. We need to pull ourselves together and realize that this is war, and act accordingly."

 

"We must make clear to all the elements that encourage terror against Israel that this will not go unanswered," he added.

 

Olmert's trial

 

Chairman of the Likud faction, MK Gideon Saar, stated: "Only firm moves will restore Israel's shaken deterrence. The Likud and the opposition will support the government, on the condition that it carry out determined military actions."

 

However, in off-the-record conversations, Likud MKs told Ynet that "Hamas and Hizbullah have definitely recognized weakness in the Israeli government. This is the time for Prime Minister Olmert to prove himself."

 


פרסום ראשון: 07.12.06, 14:08
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