MK Hendel: Only death of civilians will affect Olmert
National Union MK dissatisfied with prime minister's decision to order action against Qassam cells only. 'Apparently boys being mortally wounded in Sderot aren't enough for Olmert,' he says. Meanwhile, Meretz Mk Vilan says decision is 'morally correct'
MK Zvi Hendel (National Union), a member of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, criticized Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's decision to authorize only striking at cells launching Qassam rockets from Gaza.
"Apparently boys being mortally wounded in Sderot aren't enough for Olmert's cold tally of blood; only the death of civilians will move him from his arrogant apathy. Olmert is dangerous for Israel," Hendel said.
In an urgent security meeting Wednesday it was decided that Israel would act against the rocket cells while simultaneously maintaining the ceasefire and acting with the Palestinian Authority in the hopes that they will take action to prevent the rocket attacks emanating from their territory.
The new policy will allow the IDF and Shin Bet to operate from both air and land against cells launching Qassam rockets. State officials say that this will lower the amount of civilian casualties in Sderot and Ashkelon and other communities near Gaza.
Head of the organization for the defense of Sderot Alon Davidi, who organized a protest rally in front of Peretz's house, said that "unfortunately only the severe injuries sustained by the teens forced the prime minister to act against the Qassam cells."
"We look forward to his disillusionment from the ceasefire, and for him to order a wide-scale operation against the terror groups. Failure to do so will cause more casualties," he added.
MK Avshalom (Abu) Vilan (Meretz) called the government's decision a morally correct decision.
"We must make sure that the action taken against the cells is carried out wisely and without harming innocent civilians. Israel has the moral right to act against someone who is trying to kill civilians."
