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Minister Avigdor Lieberman: "The Palestinians can blame no one but themselves for this."
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| By israelinsider staff May 31, 2007 |
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The Gaza Strip must be completely cut off from Israel, and declared a "hostile entity," Strategic Affairs Minister Avigdor Lieberman said Thursday, unveiling a plan he said would stop the incessant pounding of Qassam rockets from Gaza.
Lieberman said that Israel should bomb the affluent Rimal suburb of Gaza City -- where many leaders live -- after every Qassam rocket strike, cancel rights to visit Palestinian prisoners until kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Shalit is released, and cease contacts with Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas.
"Gaza will be isolated both from Israel and from the West Bank. There will be no 'safe passage' between the two Palestinian entities -- not for goods, not for people, not for Abbas. Israel will complete the disengagement from Gaza by gradually cutting all ties -- including water and electricity supply, trade, taxes etc. "
Lieberman proposed to phase in the new policy over time. "To avert a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, this will not be done instantaneously -- we will give six months notice to allow for Gazans, and the international community, to prepare for this new reality. All goods and services that are currently provided by Israel can be rerouted through Egypt."
"Israel will start regarding Gaza and the West Bank as two separate entities - the Palestinian Authority jurisdiction will cover the West Bank alone, Gaza will be regarded a hostile, independent political entity -- Hamastan. The Palestinians can blame no one but themselves for this. It is their own doing, their own choice," he said.
Israel should also admit to the failure in its attempt to strengthen Abbas, said Lieberman, adding that the Jewish state should "admit that every attempt to strengthen him or place his as a partner who is capable of getting the job done, has failed. Israel should wait for an authentic replacement with leadership potential and a pragmatic outlook." |
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