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Barak: Hizbullah arming itself
Photo: Gil Yohanan
Olmert's trip to Paris slammed
Photo: Avi Ohayon, GPO

Barak: Resolution 1701 a failure

Two years after Second Lebanon War, defense minister criticizes UN resolution that brought it to an end, says 'Hizbullah continues to arm itself with Syrian assistance'. Netanyahu slams prime minister, says 'people expect to replace government'

In light of the recent two-year anniversary of the Second Lebanon War, Defense Minister Ehud Barak had some harsh criticism for the stroke that led to its finalization.

 

At the Labor faction meeting that took place Monday afternoon, Barak referred to the armament of Hizbullah, saying that "Security Resolution 1701 did not work, doesn't work, and is a failure. Hizbullah continues to arm itself with Syrian assistance."

 

Regarding the Hizbullah report on missing navigator Ron Arad, the defense minister said, "The Ron Arad report as it was transferred does not give sufficient answers and does not resolve the issue.

 

"We have an ultimate obligation to bring the two kidnapped soldiers home, and I believe that over the next few days we will bring the fight for their return to an end."

 

According to Barak, Israel's battles will be far from over even when the prisoner swap deal is finalized, as it will have to fight to return kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit home as well. "The negotiations will not be easy or short," he said. "I will work to retrieve Gilad alive and healthy."

 

The Knesset was scheduled Monday to approve the appointment of Knesset Member Eli Aflalo (Kadima) as immigrant absorption minister, and Minister Ruhama Avraham-Balila astourism minister, but the Labor Party fears the appointment of MK Avishay Braverman as chairman of the Knesset's Finance Committee will be thwarted with a political stunt.

 

Labor threatens to vote against gov't

Labor MK Eitan Cabel referred to the changes in the government's structure and said, "I have informed the cabinet secretary that we will be voting against the appointment of the ministers in the Knesset, because they have not honored their agreements with us regarding the appointment of MK Braverman."

 

Shas, however, is expected to vote in favor of the new political structure, according to Party Chairman Eli Yishai.

 

In a meeting held by the Likud faction, Opposition Chairman Benjamin Netanyahu referred to the new charges against Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, saying that "on the public level, the people have spoken. The people expect to replace this government." He added that he was "sorry the MKs prefer chairs. One must go to the people and receive a mandate."

 

Likud MK Yuval Steinitz criticized the participation of the prime minister and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni in the Union of the Mediterranean conference in Paris, together with Syrian President Bashar Assad.

 

"I call on Livni and Olmert to resign after groveling at the Syrian dictator's feet in Paris," he said. "They have desecrated and humiliated the people and the State."

 


פרסום ראשון: 07.14.08, 17:32
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