Israel's Operation Cast Lead
will proceed, despite the UN Security Council's resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert
said on Friday.
In an announcement published following the cabinet meeting on the matter, Olmert said, "The rocket attacks this morning
on the residents of the south only prove that the UN's resolution is not practical and will not be upheld by the Palestinian murder organizations."
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| Military push needed / Ron Ben-Yishai |
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Security Council’s truce resolution meaningless; more military pressure needed |
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Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said earlier
that "Israel has acted, is acting and will continue to act only according to its calculations, in the interest of the security of its citizens and its right to self defense".
Deputy Premier Eli Yishai was more blunt, saying, "The word has turned into Haniyeh and Hamas' lobbyist. It is no matter for concern if this resolution stays on paper. Our interest is all that matters."
The members of the Security Council voted
for Resolution 1860
Thursday night. The United States did not veto the resolution and abstained from voting.
The UN resolution "Stresses the urgency of and calls for an immediate, durable, and fully respected ceasefire, leading to the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza." However, the text only requires Israel to fully withdraw from the Strip after a complete ceasefire goes into effect in the area.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas
urged Israel to apply the resolution. "The president feels this resolution is an important step, but what is needed now is its application through an end to the aggression, the Israeli army's retreated from the Gaza Strip and an end to the suffering of the residents," an Abbas spokesperson said.
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