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Peretz to Abbas: Stop Qassam fire
In phone conversation with Palestinian president, defense minister makes it clear 'Israel will not tolerate ongoing firing of Qassams at its territory.' Peretz's appeal made as part of government's policy to work on diplomatic channel alongside military operation
"Israel will not tolerate the ongoing firing of Qassams at its territory," Peretz said during a phone conversation with the Palestinian president.
The defense minister's appeal is backed by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, in a bid to halt the rocket fire also through diplomatic means.
Olmert and Peretz agree that in the meantime Israel must continue with specific operation in order to stop the rockets fired at Ashkelon, Sderot and Gaza vicinity communities.
IDF Chief of Staff Dan Halutz said during Sunday's cabinet meeting that there is no perfect military plan which will be able to eradicate the Qassam problem.
Peretz and Olmert agree that a military operation alone cannot stop the rocket fire.
The conversation between Peretz and Abbas was held three days before a discussion at the national security cabinet, which will convene on Wednesday. The ministers are expected to discuss the continuation of Israel's diplomatic and military operations against the Qassams fired from Gaza.
The prime minister and defense minister plan to lead a moderate and restrained strategy, which requires outcomes on the part of the Palestinian government.
The government is now split into two: Its leaders, including Olmert, Livni, Peretz, Peres and Mofaz oppose any plan which will cause Israel to sink once again into the Gazan mud. On the other hand there are ministers, including Avi Dichter, who support a wide-scale military operation in Gaza.
Peres: We have to provide operative solutions
Vice Premier Shimon Peres said during the cabinet meeting Sunday: "First of all, you have to understand that thousands of mortar shells and thousands of Qassams have landed and 15 people were killed. We are members of a government, and not those who deliver speeches at the square. We have to provide operative suggestions.
"Handling this must include fortification on the one hand and an offensive element on the other hand. I am not suggesting, for example, to occupy the entire Strip and take responsibility over 1.5 million people."
Peres asked his fellow ministers to stop speaking harshly. "Our job is to come up with solutions, not to compete with the public," he said.
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert blasted the ministers in favor of a wide-scale operation in Gaza. He rejected the possibility of a military solution, hinting that only a diplomatic solution can serve as a complementary move.
"Let's say someone has a brilliant idea on how to stop the Qassam fire and the strengthening in Gaza. I doubt it that there is such an exclusive idea and then Israel's problems from Gaza will end. I do not accept it and it is also inappropriate to present that there is such a solution.
"The chief of staff is sitting here, and it has been claimed that he has such an exceptional plan and he is being polite and not presenting it because we have not instructed him to present it. I suggest you be sensitive to what is evident from what you are presenting," he concluded.
