Ashkelon Mayor Roni Mahatzri has called on Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to condition Israel's participation in the Annapolis, Maryland conference on a halt to Kassam rocket attacks. Arab terrorists early Monday morning attacked the port city of Ashkelon, which is home to strategic sites, including oil and gas lines and a huge electric power generating station.
"The residents of the south cannot become hostages to the Annapolis conference," Mayor Mahatzri said. "The Arab countries who are invited to the conference have to pressure Hamas in Gaza if they want this conference to have a chance."