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Strategic Affairs Minister Avigdor Lieberman (file)
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| By israelinsider staff May 20, 2007 |
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Strategic Affairs Minister Avigdor Lieberman, head of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, warned Sunday that if Olmert didn't dismantle Hamas completely, the government itself would be dismantled.
"This alternative is pure, it's the only one on the agenda. I emphasize that this is not an ultimatum and I am not setting a time limit, but in the end, this is the choice, either you break up Hamas, or you break up the government," stated Lieberman on Israel Radio.
"I am speaking of a specific operation," said Lieberman, "I am speaking of dismantling Hamas totally and absolutely, the creation of an entirely new situation. It is time to stop making declarations and threats. It is time to carry out operations, tough operations, daring, non-routine operations, and I hope that this is what will be."
Lieberman said he would pull his Yisrael Beiteinu party out of the coalition if the government didn't effectively act against Hamas, including taking over the Philadelphi Route to prevent weapons smuggling from Egypt into Gaza, and the targeted assassinations of Hamas leadership.
Olmert would still maintain the Knesset majority if Yisrael Beiteinu pulled out of his coalition, but the removal would add instability to the leading coalition.
Though Olmert and other defense officials remained reluctant to approve a large ground operation in Gaza during a security cabinet meeting Sunday, the prime minister stated that if Hamas did not stem Qassam attacks on Israel, Israel would take stronger military action in Gaza.
"If the measured steps we are taking, in the political and military sphere, do not bring about the desired calm, we will be forced to intensify our response," stated Olmert.
According to police, 125 rockets have been launched into southern Israel since the latest string of attacks began Tuesday, terrorizing citizens with an average of 20 rockets per day. |
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