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Causing uproar. Vilnai
Photo: Ze'ev Trachtman
Photo: Ze'ev Trachtman
Carefully select words. Shuster
Photo: Ze'ev Trachtman

Vilnai ‘fired’ by western Negev resident

In response to Vilani's criticism of southern residents' cry for help, deputy defense minister gets 'booted' by unhappy residents

A 'pleasant suprise' awaited Deputy Defense Minister Matan Vilnai (Labor) upon arrival at his Tuesday meeting with the Gaza Vicinity communities’ council heads: A ‘letter of dismissal’ from one of the local residents was awaiting him.

 

On Monday Vilnai caused an upset by saying that Jerusalem had suffered hundreds of terror attacks yet no one has ever argued Jerusalemites were being deserted by the government.

 

Ofer Shmerling, a resident of Sha’ar Hanegev, presented Vilani with a ‘letter of dismissal’ upon commencement of the meeting which read: “In light of your inability to fulfill the duties for which you have been appointed deputy, we hereby inform you that your services are no longer required and that you are no longer welcome in our region. You have also wrongly accused us of cowardice and have abandoned the residents.”

 

Shmerling added that the government is incapable of providing the required security measures for its residents since “Hamas is marking a clear victory over us.” Vilnai responded to Shmerling’s statements, saying that the latter’s demand is legitimate and that he fully respects the southern region residents.

 

“The Israeli government is obligated to restoring the security to the region, not necessarily by applying force but also via negotiations. This is why I attended today’s meeting,” Vilnai emphasized.

 


Western Negev council heads meeting. (Photo: Ze'ev Trachtman)

 

The residents of the Gaza Vicinity communities were outraged by Vilnai’s response to the Knesset’s vote of no confidence, in which he said: “We, in Jerusalem, suffered hundreds of casualties in bus bombings; did we ever complain about not sleeping at night? Or that we have been deserted?"

 

“We were shocked,” said Head of the Sha’ar Hanegev regional Council Alon Shuster. “Even if his words were made harsher by the press, we will not accept such homily under fire. We rightfully demand proper fortification. One should carefully select their words in addressing issues involving the Gaza-adjacent communities these days,” Shuster said.

 

Vilnai responded to Shuster’s statements by saying,” those who saw the full picture yesterday will tell that my statement followed another one saying that the nation is falling apart because of Hamas. I said that just as we handled the Syrian threat and the terror in Lebanon, so we will face the Gaza front. I did not mean to offend the residents.”

 


פרסום ראשון: 06.17.08, 17:36
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