News Brief

(IsraelNN.com) Kadima party head Tzipi Livni, Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert all praised Thursday afternoon's eviction of Jews from Peace House in Hevron, during remarks on Thursday evening.

Livni said, “There's no happiness in what we saw today... but the process was correct. The operation was necessary, and it is good that it was performed.” Livni said. "There's no place and will be no place for citizens to feel they can do whatever they please,” she added. “The government of Israel is a law-abiding government and will enforce the law.”

Olmert praised security forces for their “swift and effective performance” during the expulsion. He said, “We will not allow anyone to undermine democracy and the rule of law.”

Barak said, “What stood the test is the state's ability to enforce its laws and its authority over the citizens,” he said. Barak said the timing of the operation was unrelated to the fact that the Labor party he heads held its primary elections at the same time. “That question is unworthy of an answer,” he told a reporter who questioned the operation's timing. “The question may have its source in current politics, but my behavior does not,” he added.