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Yishai – wants Hamas regime toppled
Photo: Gil Yohanan

Ramon, Yishai abstain in cabinet vote on incursion

Vice premier, Industry, Trade and Labor minister refrain from voting in favor of sending ground troops into Strip, after cabinet denies their motion for mission's operational goals to include toppling Hamas regime

Vice Premier Haim Ramon and Industry, Trade and Labor Minister Eli Yishai were the only two cabinet members to abstain from voting in favor of a ground incursion in Gaza in Friday's special cabinet meetings.

 

The two reportedly refrained from casting a yea vote, after their demand to include toppling Hamas' regime in the Strip in the operational goals of the incursion was denied.

 

The eighth day of the Israeli offensive in Gaza saw shelling and artillery fire of terror hubs in the Strip, which culminated in infantry and artillery forces entering Gaza at nightfall, Saturday.

 

"We are the ones who will be held responsible by the public, we have to be able to look people in the eye and say we made this decision because we think it is the right thing to do," Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Friday.

 

Olmert called a meeting of the security "kitchenette", namely himself, Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, on Thursday night; along with IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant-General Gabi Ashkenazi, Shin Bet Chief Yuval Diskin and top officials in the defense establishment. The night meeting ended at 4 am, with the panel meeting against at 11 am Friday, this time at the cabinet meeting.

 

'Moments when you have no choice'

The meeting, which ended at 6 pm, resulted in a decision to expand the Israeli offensive in Gaza and include ground forces. The vote's official count stood at 10 minister in favor and two – Ramon and Yishai – abstaining.

 

"I want to be able to face the Israeli public, the mothers, and say that we acted in a responsible manner, including trying the ceasefire, which I knew could be very problematic," Olmert told his ministers. "I don't want anyone to think that I treated the fact that I am sending the sons in lightly. But there comes a moment where I have to make a decision.

 

"We are sending our soldiers into a situation which could prove hard and ungrateful, and they will have to deal with it. We, as minister, will stay here… I tell you what (former Prime Minister) Ariel Sharon used to say – there are moments when you have no choice but to face things and do what needs to be done, even if it might end up breaking your heart."

 

The cabinet also ordered the call-up of additional IDF reservists, to be deployed near the northern border as well; but Israel has made it clear it is not interested in a northern front.

 

The defense establishment has not set a timeline for the ground incursion, but it was launched with the intention of allowing the forces the necessary timeframe to achieve their goals.

 

The Prime Minister's Office has briefed the White House on the latest developments, but stressed that Olmert did not seek the US' approval for the ground operation, nor was President Bush informed of it.

 


פרסום ראשון: 01.03.09, 22:56
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