Lieberman wants to topple Hamas
Photo: Gil Yohanan
Tough stance: The Yisrael Beiteinu party intends to demand that the ruling Likud party apply clause 11 in the coalition agreement, designating the toppling of Hamas' rule in the Gaza Strip as a strategic Israeli target.
Thus far, Israeli governments have refrained from declaring that toppling the Hamas regime is a strategic target for Israel. The Olmert government avoided such declaration even during Operation Cast Lead in Gaza about two years ago.
The issue is expected to be raised in Yisrael Beiteinu's conference, to be held Wednesday. The party's chairman, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, will be seeking his colleagues' backing to lead the move.
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However, Lieberman demanded that the issue appear in the coalition agreement with Likud, and now aims to press the ruling party to apply the clause.
'Resume settlement construction'
The diplomatic chapter of the coalition agreement asserts that "the government will work determinedly and regularly against terror groups threatening Israel and do everything needed in order to eradicate them. A strategic target for the State of Israel would be the toppling of Hamas' rule in Gaza."Meanwhile, Ynet learned that another issue expected to be brought up during Yisrael Beiteinu's upcoming conference is the party's demand to resume construction in Judea and Samaria. The event will also feature discussions on the party's positions on issues pertaining to security, foreign affairs, the economy, aliyah and settlement activity.
The party's convention is being held once every four years and is expected to be attended by some 450 representatives, elected at the various party branches in the past three months.
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