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1. Israel Goes on High Alert for Passover
by Gabe Kahn
Israel is on high alert going into the Passover holiday after a pair of Grad rockets fired from Egypt exploded in Eilat early on Thursday.
It was the first the rocket attack on Israel from Egypt since the collapse of the regime of Hosni Mubarak more than a year ago.
However, In August of 2010, five Katyusha rockets hit the city of Eilat. Two exploded in open areas and three fell into the sea. No injuries were reported.
Rockets were also fired at Eilat in April of 2010. One landed in the sea, and one hit the Jordanian city of Aqaba.
Nonetheless, Israel placed the IDF on its highest state of alert following a situation assessment by senior commanders after Thursday's attack. The alert comes as thousands of visitors begin arriving in the resort town of Eilat for the holiday.
The move came just one week after IDF chief of staff Benny Gantz said Israel’s military would remain at full strength – but not high alert – over Passover. Gantz’s decision ended the Israeli tradition of the army “going on vacation” for Passover.
The head of Eilat police said explosions were heard in Eilat soon after midnight. Police found the remains of one rocket in a construction site, about 400 meters from a residential area.
"Based on our working assumptions and the (rocket) range, yes, [the rocket was fired from Sinai]," the police chief told reporters.
He added that police were searching for more rockets that may have landed.
The Israel-Egypt border had been relatively quiet since the two countries signed a peace agreement in 1979, but security officials say the Sinai has become a staging ground for terrorism against Israel since Mubarak's ouster in Februay 2011.
Two weeks ago, the Israel Security Agency (ISA) arrested a Hamas terrorist who planned to kidnap an IDF soldier and aid in a suicide bombing in Eilat.
Mahmed Abu Aadram, an operative in the Hamas terror organization operating in Sinai, was captured as he attempted to infiltrate into Israel with other terrorists.
In August 2011, terrorists from Sinai staged a cross-border ambush of a civilian Israeli bus on Route 12 near Eilat, killing 8 Israelis.
In early March, Israel uncovered a plan by the Popular Resistance Committees to attempt a new attack on Route 12. Israel killed the PRC head – Zuhir Qaisi – In an airstrike, which led to a dramatic exchange of fire as Gaza's terror gangs fired over 200 rockets at Israel's southern communities.
Israeli airstrikes targeting teams of terrorists launching rockets from densely populated areas killed 26, of whom at least 21 were terrorists.
IDF officials say the terror groups were attempting to use Gaza's civilians as "human shields" in violation of the rules of war.
The ceasefire brokered four days into the exchange has been intermittently violated by Gaza’s terror gangs in the past month.
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by Gabe Kahn
Israel is on high alert going into the Passover holiday after a pair of Grad rockets fired from Egypt exploded in Eilat early on Thursday.
It was the first the rocket attack on Israel from Egypt since the collapse of the regime of Hosni Mubarak more than a year ago.
However, In August of 2010, five Katyusha rockets hit the city of Eilat. Two exploded in open areas and three fell into the sea. No injuries were reported.
Rockets were also fired at Eilat in April of 2010. One landed in the sea, and one hit the Jordanian city of Aqaba.
Nonetheless, Israel placed the IDF on its highest state of alert following a situation assessment by senior commanders after Thursday's attack. The alert comes as thousands of visitors begin arriving in the resort town of Eilat for the holiday.
The move came just one week after IDF chief of staff Benny Gantz said Israel’s military would remain at full strength – but not high alert – over Passover. Gantz’s decision ended the Israeli tradition of the army “going on vacation” for Passover.
The head of Eilat police said explosions were heard in Eilat soon after midnight. Police found the remains of one rocket in a construction site, about 400 meters from a residential area.
"Based on our working assumptions and the (rocket) range, yes, [the rocket was fired from Sinai]," the police chief told reporters.
He added that police were searching for more rockets that may have landed.
The Israel-Egypt border had been relatively quiet since the two countries signed a peace agreement in 1979, but security officials say the Sinai has become a staging ground for terrorism against Israel since Mubarak's ouster in Februay 2011.
Two weeks ago, the Israel Security Agency (ISA) arrested a Hamas terrorist who planned to kidnap an IDF soldier and aid in a suicide bombing in Eilat.
Mahmed Abu Aadram, an operative in the Hamas terror organization operating in Sinai, was captured as he attempted to infiltrate into Israel with other terrorists.
In August 2011, terrorists from Sinai staged a cross-border ambush of a civilian Israeli bus on Route 12 near Eilat, killing 8 Israelis.
In early March, Israel uncovered a plan by the Popular Resistance Committees to attempt a new attack on Route 12. Israel killed the PRC head – Zuhir Qaisi – In an airstrike, which led to a dramatic exchange of fire as Gaza's terror gangs fired over 200 rockets at Israel's southern communities.
Israeli airstrikes targeting teams of terrorists launching rockets from densely populated areas killed 26, of whom at least 21 were terrorists.
IDF officials say the terror groups were attempting to use Gaza's civilians as "human shields" in violation of the rules of war.
The ceasefire brokered four days into the exchange has been intermittently violated by Gaza’s terror gangs in the past month.
Tags: Eilat ,IDF ,Passover ,rocket and mortar attacks
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2. Fatah Rhetoric: 'Third Intifada' for Passover?
by Rachel Hirshfeld
The Arabic publication, Hona Al Quds, quotes a Fatah official who claims that while terrorism has taken a back seat, due to political reasons, it it not off the take, The Elder of Ziyon blog translated from the original Arabic.
Adbedl Qader, Fatah official of Jerusalem Affairs said, “The peaceful resistance has not been strategically successful in the Palestinian arena, and there must be a new visions of the concept that integrates the armed resistance and the Popular Resistance. I do not think that the option of armed resistance in the Fatah movement is currently possible because of political circumstances.”
“We need a peaceful third intifada like the first intifada, including all the children and participation of all the Palestinian people, so that the peaceful resistance is not limited to certain segments; if it did not include all of us there is no point,” he continued.
He added, “it is difficult to engage people in a third intifada. The existence of the PA is the largest impediment to them, because they are committed to the agreements, treaties and obligations with the Israelis,” Qader added.
While the official characterized the first intifada as being “peaceful,” as Elder notes, it killed approximately 160 Israelis and wounded thousands more.
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by Rachel Hirshfeld
The Arabic publication, Hona Al Quds, quotes a Fatah official who claims that while terrorism has taken a back seat, due to political reasons, it it not off the take, The Elder of Ziyon blog translated from the original Arabic.
Adbedl Qader, Fatah official of Jerusalem Affairs said, “The peaceful resistance has not been strategically successful in the Palestinian arena, and there must be a new visions of the concept that integrates the armed resistance and the Popular Resistance. I do not think that the option of armed resistance in the Fatah movement is currently possible because of political circumstances.”
“We need a peaceful third intifada like the first intifada, including all the children and participation of all the Palestinian people, so that the peaceful resistance is not limited to certain segments; if it did not include all of us there is no point,” he continued.
He added, “it is difficult to engage people in a third intifada. The existence of the PA is the largest impediment to them, because they are committed to the agreements, treaties and obligations with the Israelis,” Qader added.
While the official characterized the first intifada as being “peaceful,” as Elder notes, it killed approximately 160 Israelis and wounded thousands more.
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3. Eight Arab Teens Charged with Ramle Man's Murder
by Gil Ronen
The Central District Attorney's Office filed charge sheets Thursday in the Petach Tikva District Court against 8 Arab minors from Ramle, accusing them of the murder of a Jewish neighbor, George Saado, 51, on March 11.
According to the charge sheet, Sado walked his dog in an open area in Ramle when three of the accused accosted him and began cursing him. Saado did not reply and kept on walking. Additional youths joined the ones who had accosted Saado and they waited for him to return, armed with a hangun.
Four of the Arabs cursed Saado, coiced their support for rocket attacks against Israel and hurled anti-Semitic abuse. Two of them kicked the dog and threw rocks at it. One of the accused said that he wants to shoot Saado. Two others tried to dissuade him. Another said, however, that he would shoot Saado himself if the others were afraid.
The gang asked Saado if he was carrying a gun. He said "no" and lifted hus shurt to show that he was telling the truth. He then started walking away, and threw a last look back at the group. At that point, one of the Arabs drew the gun and fired one shot at Saado, who collapsed and later died.
The assailant then fired two more shots. One was meant to make sure Saado was dead and the second to kill his dog. The dog was killed but the second shot missed.
All six then fled the scene of the crime and were arrested later. One has been charged with murder and three with manslaughter. They are also charged with illegal possession of weapons, and other charges.
Police initially said the murder was not nationalistically motivated, but criminal in nature. Saado's sons and dughters rejected this explanation and the charge sheets vindicate them. Police have been accused of whitewashing nationalist Arab aggression and presenting it as criminal in nature.
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by Gil Ronen
The Central District Attorney's Office filed charge sheets Thursday in the Petach Tikva District Court against 8 Arab minors from Ramle, accusing them of the murder of a Jewish neighbor, George Saado, 51, on March 11.
According to the charge sheet, Sado walked his dog in an open area in Ramle when three of the accused accosted him and began cursing him. Saado did not reply and kept on walking. Additional youths joined the ones who had accosted Saado and they waited for him to return, armed with a hangun.
Four of the Arabs cursed Saado, coiced their support for rocket attacks against Israel and hurled anti-Semitic abuse. Two of them kicked the dog and threw rocks at it. One of the accused said that he wants to shoot Saado. Two others tried to dissuade him. Another said, however, that he would shoot Saado himself if the others were afraid.
The gang asked Saado if he was carrying a gun. He said "no" and lifted hus shurt to show that he was telling the truth. He then started walking away, and threw a last look back at the group. At that point, one of the Arabs drew the gun and fired one shot at Saado, who collapsed and later died.
The assailant then fired two more shots. One was meant to make sure Saado was dead and the second to kill his dog. The dog was killed but the second shot missed.
All six then fled the scene of the crime and were arrested later. One has been charged with murder and three with manslaughter. They are also charged with illegal possession of weapons, and other charges.
Police initially said the murder was not nationalistically motivated, but criminal in nature. Saado's sons and dughters rejected this explanation and the charge sheets vindicate them. Police have been accused of whitewashing nationalist Arab aggression and presenting it as criminal in nature.
Tags: George Sado ,Israeli Arabs ,terror arrest
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4. Police Station Opens on Mount of Olives
by Gil Ronen
Israel responded to a period of incessant attacks by Arabs on Jews coming to pray at graves of their families and to the Arabs' systematic desecration of the ancient Mount of Olives cemetery by oficially opening a police station on the Mount of Olives Thursday.
The ceremony was attended by Minister of Public Security Yitzchak Aharonovich, Police District Commander Maj. Gen. Niso Shacham, Director of Religions Ministry Avigdor Ochana and other officials.
Minister Aharonovich spoke at the ceremony and stressed that the station is being opened at a strategic spot, and predicted that it will make Jerusalem residents safer and protect the people who visit the Mount.
"The need for a police grasp on the Mount of Olives became apparent after several incidents in which rocks and fire bombs were thrown at visitors, as well as smashing of tombstones. I give my blessings to the opening of the police station and hope it will put an end to hooliganism."
First Chief Rabbi of Israel Rabbi Avraham Kook and his son, Rabbi Tzvi Yehuda Kook and Rabbi Avraham Shapira of Merkaz HaRav Yeshiva, the Nevardok Rebbe and many other famous rabbis and historic figtures are buried on the mount - including Prime Minister Menachem Begin, some of the victims of the 1929 Arab massacres and Gush Katif residents whose graves were moved during the 2005 expulsion. For thousands of years, as well as now, people have requested burial on the mount as it is opposite the Old City of Jerusalem.
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by Gil Ronen
Israel responded to a period of incessant attacks by Arabs on Jews coming to pray at graves of their families and to the Arabs' systematic desecration of the ancient Mount of Olives cemetery by oficially opening a police station on the Mount of Olives Thursday.
The ceremony was attended by Minister of Public Security Yitzchak Aharonovich, Police District Commander Maj. Gen. Niso Shacham, Director of Religions Ministry Avigdor Ochana and other officials.
Minister Aharonovich spoke at the ceremony and stressed that the station is being opened at a strategic spot, and predicted that it will make Jerusalem residents safer and protect the people who visit the Mount.
"The need for a police grasp on the Mount of Olives became apparent after several incidents in which rocks and fire bombs were thrown at visitors, as well as smashing of tombstones. I give my blessings to the opening of the police station and hope it will put an end to hooliganism."
First Chief Rabbi of Israel Rabbi Avraham Kook and his son, Rabbi Tzvi Yehuda Kook and Rabbi Avraham Shapira of Merkaz HaRav Yeshiva, the Nevardok Rebbe and many other famous rabbis and historic figtures are buried on the mount - including Prime Minister Menachem Begin, some of the victims of the 1929 Arab massacres and Gush Katif residents whose graves were moved during the 2005 expulsion. For thousands of years, as well as now, people have requested burial on the mount as it is opposite the Old City of Jerusalem.
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5. Expert: 'Settlements' Are Legal, Look at the UN Documents
by Elad Benari
Dr. Meir Rosenne, former Israeli ambassador to the United States and France, said on Wednesday that the Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria are legal and that this is true under international law.
Rosenne spoke to Arutz Sheva a day after the prosecutor for the International Criminal Court in The Hague rejected a complaint filed by the Palestinian Authority against Israel for alleged war crimes during "Operation Cast Lead" in Gaza in 2009.
The prosecutor explained that only states can file a complaint with the International Criminal Court, noting that the PA is only an observer at the United Nations and not a member state.
Dr. Rosenne noted that “the PA is not a country. It has a Palestinian Authority and Hamas which controls Gaza but they have no country. All UN documents dealing with Resolution 242 do not mention the word Palestinian.”
He added that although some people may not be aware of this, under international law the Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria have full legal status.
“American jurists such as former ICJ President Stephen Schwebel have said that Israel has more rights to Judea and Samaria,” said Rosenne. “Any legal expert who looks at the UN documents will see that there is no such concept as the West Bank or the occupied territories, but rather Judea and Samaria. That is the terminology that appears in the most official documents.”
Dr. Rosenne added that according to the Geneva Convention, all the Jewish communities are legal, saying, “Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention says that an occupying power cannot forcibly move citizens to occupied territory. This was true during World War II when the Germans forcefully moved German citizens to occupied Polish territories. In our case, Israel never occupied Judea and Samaria. Judea and Samaria is an area that has never belonged to another country. Jordanian occupation was never recognized, just as the Egyptian occupation of Gaza was not recognized. The fate of these areas should be determined by negotiations among the parties. The settlers never forcibly entered anywhere, nor were they moved there, so they are perfectly legal.”
He also noted that, according to the Geneva Convention, terrorists imprisoned in Israel should not be considered prisoners of war.
“The Geneva Convention states that a prisoner of war is a man who openly carried weapons and wore uniforms and respected the laws of war,” said Rosenne. “The terrorists do not carry arms openly, they do not have uniforms and they do not respect the laws of war when they kill children. They are not party to the conflict because no Arab state has adopted them. Nevertheless, Israel allows every terrorist to meet with an attorney.”
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by Elad Benari
Dr. Meir Rosenne, former Israeli ambassador to the United States and France, said on Wednesday that the Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria are legal and that this is true under international law.
Rosenne spoke to Arutz Sheva a day after the prosecutor for the International Criminal Court in The Hague rejected a complaint filed by the Palestinian Authority against Israel for alleged war crimes during "Operation Cast Lead" in Gaza in 2009.
The prosecutor explained that only states can file a complaint with the International Criminal Court, noting that the PA is only an observer at the United Nations and not a member state.
Dr. Rosenne noted that “the PA is not a country. It has a Palestinian Authority and Hamas which controls Gaza but they have no country. All UN documents dealing with Resolution 242 do not mention the word Palestinian.”
He added that although some people may not be aware of this, under international law the Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria have full legal status.
“American jurists such as former ICJ President Stephen Schwebel have said that Israel has more rights to Judea and Samaria,” said Rosenne. “Any legal expert who looks at the UN documents will see that there is no such concept as the West Bank or the occupied territories, but rather Judea and Samaria. That is the terminology that appears in the most official documents.”
Dr. Rosenne added that according to the Geneva Convention, all the Jewish communities are legal, saying, “Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention says that an occupying power cannot forcibly move citizens to occupied territory. This was true during World War II when the Germans forcefully moved German citizens to occupied Polish territories. In our case, Israel never occupied Judea and Samaria. Judea and Samaria is an area that has never belonged to another country. Jordanian occupation was never recognized, just as the Egyptian occupation of Gaza was not recognized. The fate of these areas should be determined by negotiations among the parties. The settlers never forcibly entered anywhere, nor were they moved there, so they are perfectly legal.”
He also noted that, according to the Geneva Convention, terrorists imprisoned in Israel should not be considered prisoners of war.
“The Geneva Convention states that a prisoner of war is a man who openly carried weapons and wore uniforms and respected the laws of war,” said Rosenne. “The terrorists do not carry arms openly, they do not have uniforms and they do not respect the laws of war when they kill children. They are not party to the conflict because no Arab state has adopted them. Nevertheless, Israel allows every terrorist to meet with an attorney.”
Tags: Meir Rosenne ,Judea and Samaria ,Settlements
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6. Steinitz: Hevron Eviction ‘Absurd’
by Gabe Kahn
Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz weighed in on the eviction of 15 Jewish families from Beit Hamachpela in Hevron saying it was “absurd.”
“It is absurd to evict Jews from homes they bought legally,” Steinitz told Radio Kol Yisrael.
Steinitz added that he hoped the families would soon be vindicated and allowed to move back into Beit Hamachpela.
The eviction on Wednesday came on the orders of Defense Minister Ehud Barak in violation of an agreement between his bureau, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, Strategic Affairs Minister Moshe Yaalon, and Minister Without Portfolio Benny Begin to delay the move until April 26 – after Passover.
Of particular note is that Barak's push to evict the families at Beit Hamachpela was based not on a court challenge to the purchase, but on the families’ failure to properly validate the sale with his ministry.
The families say they moved in after the sale fearing the building – uninhabited – would be occupied by local Arabs before the Civil Administration validated their purchase.
The government had stated it would “establish the legal facts of the case” before taking action.
Barak, however, decided to go ahead with the eviction saying he would “protect the rule of law” and would not allow “settlers to establish facts on the ground” while his ministry investigated the sale.
Yaalon retorted, “I do not know why the Defense Minister is saying an examination of the sale will take weeks when it can be done in just a few days,”
The move created furor in the Likud-led coalition – in which Barak sits – and has led for calls from senior ministers to strip the Defense Minister of his authority over Judea and Samaria.
Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman – who heads the 15-member Yisrael Beiteinu faction – went so far as to say Barak was making it impossible for the coalition parties to sit in the same government with him.
"The policy of the Ministry of Defense towards Jewish settlement in Judea and Samaria is designed to inflame passions rather than to meet the security needs of Israeli citizens who live there," Lieberman charged.
Meanwhile, Steinitz responded to the Thursday morning rocket attack on Eilat from Sinai saying, “This reminds us there are those who do not accept our presence here.”
“The freedom of Israel in its own land is only acquired through toil and anguish,” he said.
Comment on this story
by Gabe Kahn
Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz weighed in on the eviction of 15 Jewish families from Beit Hamachpela in Hevron saying it was “absurd.”
“It is absurd to evict Jews from homes they bought legally,” Steinitz told Radio Kol Yisrael.
Steinitz added that he hoped the families would soon be vindicated and allowed to move back into Beit Hamachpela.
The eviction on Wednesday came on the orders of Defense Minister Ehud Barak in violation of an agreement between his bureau, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, Strategic Affairs Minister Moshe Yaalon, and Minister Without Portfolio Benny Begin to delay the move until April 26 – after Passover.
Of particular note is that Barak's push to evict the families at Beit Hamachpela was based not on a court challenge to the purchase, but on the families’ failure to properly validate the sale with his ministry.
The families say they moved in after the sale fearing the building – uninhabited – would be occupied by local Arabs before the Civil Administration validated their purchase.
The government had stated it would “establish the legal facts of the case” before taking action.
Barak, however, decided to go ahead with the eviction saying he would “protect the rule of law” and would not allow “settlers to establish facts on the ground” while his ministry investigated the sale.
Yaalon retorted, “I do not know why the Defense Minister is saying an examination of the sale will take weeks when it can be done in just a few days,”
The move created furor in the Likud-led coalition – in which Barak sits – and has led for calls from senior ministers to strip the Defense Minister of his authority over Judea and Samaria.
Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman – who heads the 15-member Yisrael Beiteinu faction – went so far as to say Barak was making it impossible for the coalition parties to sit in the same government with him.
"The policy of the Ministry of Defense towards Jewish settlement in Judea and Samaria is designed to inflame passions rather than to meet the security needs of Israeli citizens who live there," Lieberman charged.
Meanwhile, Steinitz responded to the Thursday morning rocket attack on Eilat from Sinai saying, “This reminds us there are those who do not accept our presence here.”
“The freedom of Israel in its own land is only acquired through toil and anguish,” he said.
Tags: Yuval Steinitz ,Beit HaMachpela ,Hevron
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7. Min. Landau: Barak Aides the Arab Side
by Gil Ronen
Minister of National Infrastructures, Uzi Landau (Yisrael Beitenu), launched a scathing attack on Defense Minister Ehud Barak Thursday, accusing him of aiding hostile Arabs in Hevron by expelling the residents of Machpela House.
Landau, formerly a longtime member of Likud, said that while Barak heads a small party, he "mocks" Likud and the prime minister and implements his own policy vis-à-vis the Jewish residents of Judea and Samaria.
Barak has been freezing construction in the communities of Judea and Samaria for over three years, Landau said. He has been preventing entry of Jews into houses and refusing the homes' connection to the electric grid even in places where all of the zoning plans have been approved.
"The Defense Minister encourages the extremist elements within the Arabs of Hevron, damages public order and assists the Palestinian side," he said.
Eitan Broshi, who serves the Defense Minister as his Aide on Matters of Settlement, said after the eviction from Machpela House that the immediate expulsion of the residents became necessary when it turned out that the Jews' entry into the house had been illegal. On the other hand, he said, the communities of Sansana and Bruchin were established by government decisions and only "technical mistakes" have prevented them from receiving final approvals.
Barak termed the residents of Machpela House "invaders" and said that they had been evicted in accordance with orders that he had signed. "I will continue to act to maintain the law and democracy while safeguarding the state's authority over its citizens."
"We cannot allow a situation in which unlawful actions are taken in order to create facts on the ground or dictate them to the government."
Comment on this story
by Gil Ronen
Minister of National Infrastructures, Uzi Landau (Yisrael Beitenu), launched a scathing attack on Defense Minister Ehud Barak Thursday, accusing him of aiding hostile Arabs in Hevron by expelling the residents of Machpela House.
Landau, formerly a longtime member of Likud, said that while Barak heads a small party, he "mocks" Likud and the prime minister and implements his own policy vis-à-vis the Jewish residents of Judea and Samaria.
Barak has been freezing construction in the communities of Judea and Samaria for over three years, Landau said. He has been preventing entry of Jews into houses and refusing the homes' connection to the electric grid even in places where all of the zoning plans have been approved.
"The Defense Minister encourages the extremist elements within the Arabs of Hevron, damages public order and assists the Palestinian side," he said.
Eitan Broshi, who serves the Defense Minister as his Aide on Matters of Settlement, said after the eviction from Machpela House that the immediate expulsion of the residents became necessary when it turned out that the Jews' entry into the house had been illegal. On the other hand, he said, the communities of Sansana and Bruchin were established by government decisions and only "technical mistakes" have prevented them from receiving final approvals.
Barak termed the residents of Machpela House "invaders" and said that they had been evicted in accordance with orders that he had signed. "I will continue to act to maintain the law and democracy while safeguarding the state's authority over its citizens."
"We cannot allow a situation in which unlawful actions are taken in order to create facts on the ground or dictate them to the government."
Tags: Uzi Landau ,Machpela House ,Sansana
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8. Lieberman Fires on Barak Over Beit Hamachpela
by Gabe Kahn
Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said Wednesday that the expulsion of 15 families from Beit Hamachpela ("House of the Patriarchs") in Hevron could bring down the government.
"This policy is undermining the coalition's stability and hampers the ability of the various coalition parties to live with each other," Lieberman said, referring to Defense Minister Ehud Barak's decision to violate an agreement to delay the eviction until April 26 – after the Passover holiday.
The "handling the case of 'The Patriarchs' in Hebron – from start to finish – has been wrong both substantively and politically," Lieberman explained.
"The policy of the Ministry of Defense towards Jewish settlement in Judea and Samaria is designed to inflame passions rather than to meet the security needs of Israeli citizens who live there," Lieberman said.
Lieberman also said the only way to stabilize the coalition was to strip Barak of his authority over Judea and Samaria, transferring them to a special ministerial committee that would "accurately reflect the majority opinion in the government and the public."
His remarks echoed similar sentiments expressed by ministers from the ruling Likud party.
He also used Beit El's threatened Ulpanah neighborhood to underscore the inherent dissonance in Barak's position on Beit Hamachpela.
"You cannot cite the sanctity of property rights to evacuate an entire community that was established 13 years ago, while not respecting property rights when it comes to a legally purchased a house in Hebron by Jews," he said.
Last night, at a toast in honor of a Passover party, Lieberman said that he would dismantle the government if controversial issues like "The Patriarchs" in Hevron, the Tal Law, and high housing costs are not properly resolved.
"Anyone thinks that we are held hostage by the legal processes is wrong," Lieberman said.
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by Gabe Kahn
Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said Wednesday that the expulsion of 15 families from Beit Hamachpela ("House of the Patriarchs") in Hevron could bring down the government.
"This policy is undermining the coalition's stability and hampers the ability of the various coalition parties to live with each other," Lieberman said, referring to Defense Minister Ehud Barak's decision to violate an agreement to delay the eviction until April 26 – after the Passover holiday.
The "handling the case of 'The Patriarchs' in Hebron – from start to finish – has been wrong both substantively and politically," Lieberman explained.
"The policy of the Ministry of Defense towards Jewish settlement in Judea and Samaria is designed to inflame passions rather than to meet the security needs of Israeli citizens who live there," Lieberman said.
Lieberman also said the only way to stabilize the coalition was to strip Barak of his authority over Judea and Samaria, transferring them to a special ministerial committee that would "accurately reflect the majority opinion in the government and the public."
His remarks echoed similar sentiments expressed by ministers from the ruling Likud party.
He also used Beit El's threatened Ulpanah neighborhood to underscore the inherent dissonance in Barak's position on Beit Hamachpela.
"You cannot cite the sanctity of property rights to evacuate an entire community that was established 13 years ago, while not respecting property rights when it comes to a legally purchased a house in Hebron by Jews," he said.
Last night, at a toast in honor of a Passover party, Lieberman said that he would dismantle the government if controversial issues like "The Patriarchs" in Hevron, the Tal Law, and high housing costs are not properly resolved.
"Anyone thinks that we are held hostage by the legal processes is wrong," Lieberman said.
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