'Operation changed nothing.' Lieberman
Photo: George Ginsburg
'Government fell over corruption.' Oron
Photo: Ofer Amram
Lieberman: Gaza still Hamastan
'Politicians caused offensive to fail by not allowing IDF to seize control over Philadelphi route, Rafah crossing,' Yisrael Beiteinu chairman says. Meretz: Israelis must consider other issues before casting their ballots in upcoming elections
Cabinet's decision to declare a unilateral ceasefire in Gaza was a mistake, Yisrael Beiteinu Chairman Avigdor Lieberman told Ynet Sunday.
"The IDF's operation in Gaza didn’t change a thing, and Hamas is going to get exactly what it needs – including the reopening of the crossings," he said. "Gaza is still Hamastan and serves as an Iranian base.
"The operation was very impressive on a military level, but it wasn't translated into political achievements. The politicians caused the offensive to fail; they did not allow the IDF to seize control over the Philadelphi route (Egypt-Gaza border) and the Rafah crossing; this only accentuates the need for a leadership change (in Israel)."
Lieberman continued to say that "it is clear that Hizbullah is also gearing up for another round of fighting, and now we have shown it our inability to defeat an organization just two feet away from us (Hamas)."
Meanwhile, Meretz Chairman Chaim Oron said Israelis must consider other issues before casting their ballots in the February 10 general elections. "The economic crisis and issues relating to education, pension funds and the environment have all been omitted from public discourse (during the war in Gaza).
"The public should remember that we are not going to elections over the war with Hamas; this government fell over corruption," he said.
Oron said that the operation in Gaza, while justified in light of the incessant rocket fire on the south, was unproportional.
Yael Branovsky contributed to the report
