Peretz: No magic solution to PA terror

Defense Minister Amir Peretz said Sunday that Gaza is a “bottomless pit of violence and chaos.”

Peretz continued: “We left Gaza so as not to return, but our withdrawal does not mean we will allow Gaza to become a base for terror against Israel. I am not deluding myself or the public that there is a quick magical solution to the Palestinian terror. Behind the terror gangs are evil regimes, from Tehran to Damascus, that are playing with the fate of the Palestinian people, who are paying a heavy price of despair, poverty, and hopelessness.

"On the contrary, our withdrawal from Gaza has given us the legitimacy, also in the eyes of the international community, to act there against terror elements that threaten to act against Israel. I have to admit that I had hoped we would not be forced to enter Gaza, and we plan to leave as soon as the missions have been completed."

'Palestinians chose terror'

"Instead of profiting from our exit from Gaza as an opportunity to use the international community generousness to build the economy in Gaza, the Palestinians chose terror. The proxies of Tehran and Damascus in Gaza sowed anarchy and violence. They stymied the opportunity for a quick rehabilitation of Palestinian society and harmed its welfare and future. It is no surprise the world turned its back on Gaza. Who would invest his money and time in a deep pit of violence and chaos?" he asked.

Peretz added: "As far as Israel is concerned the Palestinians can decide their own fate as long as it doesn't come on the account of our security. Terror groups are illegitimate, even when they are voted to power – because a terror group is fundamentally illegitimate. A government that supports terror and is controlled by exiled terror elements, and every government that accepts terror, is endangering its existence, first and foremost."

Peretz evoked the killing of an 18-year-old settler last week: "We saw the cruelty of terror groups when they killed Eliyahu Asheri in cold blood few days ago and they destroyed a young man. We will reach the murderers and their dispatchers. Two targets are facing us: an ongoing effort to return Gilad Shalit home. Second…to deal a blow to the Palestinians' capability to fire rockets at Israel. If both these conditions are fulfilled, we will return our soldiers home."

Peretz thanked Egypt for its diplomatic efforts to free Shalit: "I wish to thank our friends all over the world who are making numerous diplomatic efforts – the United States, the European community and especially Egypt. Thanks to President Hosni Mubarak and Intelligence Minister Omar Suleiman for their ongoing efforts. But everyone knows that the accusation finger is pointed to Khaled Mashaal. The address for making him act fast belongs to Bashar Assad, Syria's President."

"Syria," Peretz said, "cannot absolve itself of responsibility and cannot explain how it is unaware of a guest's activities. Time is important and the Palestinian population should know that. The Palestinians will do well if they evict terror elements from their midst and coerce them to desist their crimes against innocent Israelis and Palestinians. I call on you to stand united in great love for our soldiers who are doing their jobs for our good and the good of the State of Israel."