Channels

Lieberman: Content with his decision
Photo: Gabi Menashe
Photo: AFP
Netanyahu: Irrisponsible
Photo: AFP

Lieberman: Bibi's remarks on Iran irresponsible

Minister of strategic affairs says Iranian threat too important to become political issue, tells Ynet, 'Bibi has no idea what we are doing. I am sorry politicians bring the issue into internal political discussion'

From his job as minister of strategic affairs, Avigdor Lieberman decided to put an end to the chatter within the political system surrounding the Iranian threat, and at the same time blast opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu.

 

In an interview with Ynet, Lieberman calls the former PM's latest statements regarding the Iranian threat "irresponsible."

 

According to Lieberman, "Bibi has no idea what we are doing. I'm sorry that politicians drag the issue into the political discussion. I think this is irresponsible when someone tries turning the issue into an internal problem. Bibi is irresponsible for doing that. The Iranian issue is not a mater of territory. There is not one on the Right or on the Left that is not bothered by this. Because of this, saying something without knowing what is going on is severe."

 

Lieberman also referred to the announcement of billionaire Arcadi Gaydamak to support Netanyahu for prime minister.

 

"I think that it is Gaydamak's right to support any politician in any party. I think the Likud is a worthy party and so is Netanyahu. I wish both of them luck."

 

Since he took the job as minister of strategic affairs, Lieberman was at the receiving end of much criticism.

 

Some, including the writer of these words, have written that he is sorry for entering the coalition and that he is eating himself from the inside when he sees the Likud soar in the polls and his party rapidly losing support. Lieberman saw, read, and kept quiet.

 

'They don't hide or sugarcoat'

Now he wants to explain to everyone that they were wrong, and how important is his contribution. "Before I came in," he tells Ynet.

 

"I had my doubts and fears. I didn't know if I would get backing from the prime minister. Today I am completely content with my decision, and I have no intentions to leave the government. I receive full support from the prime minister for what I am doing. I am doing a good job; even the most sensitive officials in Israel think that. I do real things."

 

Naturally, Lieberman cannot discuss the details of what he does. What can be said is that he deals with the most sensitive material of Israel's defense organizations.

 

These organizations are under the direct supervision of the prime minister and he is the one who needs to give Lieberman leeway in order for him to act. For now, Lieberman feels he is acting freely.

 

"Today it is apparent to all that Israel's central problem, for the first time since the Holocaust, is that there are those who say they want to destroy us," he said.

 

"They don't hide it, and don't sugarcoat it. The say it directly and invest a lot of money and efforts in it. We see it through investments in terror organizations, in involvement in Lebanon, and other things. I think I am contributing and this job should have been there before.

 

"How much time does the prime minister have to invest in an existential issue? He, after all, has a coalition, a crisis in Kadima, a budget, guests from abroad and trips abroad," Lieberman said.

 


פרסום ראשון: 12.28.06, 22:49
 new comment
Warning:
This will delete your current comment