Aharonovitch: Won't fall off chair if FM acquitted

Internal security minister says Avigdor Lieberman fit to lead Israel, claims Yisrael Beiteinu can survive even in event of FM's conviction

Reuters | Published: 02.26.11, 14:20

Internal Security Minister Yitzhak Aharonovitch said on Saturday that he does not rule out the possibility that legal proceedings in the affair of Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman result in his acquittal.

"I won't fall off the chair if he is declared innocent," Aharonovitch said.

While attending a conference in Beersheba, the minister said that Lieberman has been suffering from a delay of judgment for the past 14 years.

"This time needs to be shortened. I definitely think he can lead the State of Israel," he added.

Aharonovitch noted that in the event that Lieberman is convicted and given a prison sentence, Israel's political map will undergo significant change.

"Yisrael Beiteinu has captured a big segment in Israeli society. It's hard to imagine the party without Lieberman but even so, it is quite possible that the party will remain predominant even without him," the minister said.

'Shalit is not factor'

Commenting on recent rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip, Aharonovitch said, "We cannot ignore the firing of rockets on the residents of Israel. We must stop these attacks.

"There is an attempt to give it some sort of legitimization of attack – response. The response should be much more painful. The firing of Grad rockets on Beersheba or other cities crosses the red line," he noted.

"State and the IDF must respond with a heavy hand. I will also demand this from the government. No country in the world would have allowed Grad rockets to fall on its residents," Aharonovitch noted.

The internal security minister added that the fact kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit may be held inside the Gaza Strip should not play as a factor on the scale of retaliation.

"Gilad Shalit must be returned home. It should have been done a long time ago, but it has nothing to do with the response. We must regain deterrence capabilities and stop the attacks.' He said.