Minister for Strategic Affairs and Yisrael Beiteinu Chairman Avigdor Lieberman announced Sunday that the time has come to make a decision on the security of the State.



“It’s time for tough action,” he declared. “I am not talking about a small operation, but a very specific one that will destroy Hamas completely and absolutely. One that will create a new situation on the ground. This is not an ultimatum, in that I am not demanding a certain time-frame - but the choice is clear, either Hamas is dismantled or this government will be dismantled.”



Lieberman told Israel Radio that he would deliver that message at the government's weekly Cabinet meeting.

Minister Attacks Gaydamak

At the weekly Cabinet meeting, Housing and Construction Minister Meir Sheetrit denounced an offer by Russian-born Israeli business tycoon Arcadi Gaydamak to provide fortification for 1,300 housing units in Sderot, calling the idea “ridiculous.”



Minister Sheetrit had equally disparaging words for complaints by residents of the rocket-battered city who have accused the government of neglecting to repair, upgrade and increase the number of bomb shelters in the western Negev town.



“There is a state of panic, hysteria,” said Mr. Sheetrit. “I understand these people, but Sderot has bomb shelters. Is the government supposed to prepare the shelters? Each house should be responsible for their own. You cannot lay all the responsibility on the government.”



The minister added that Mr. Gaydamak’s pledge of $30 million to help fortify buildings in the town was a drop in the bucket and “cannot be taken seriously.” He added that “Fortification of the houses in Sderot is a long process and it will not happen in a day. Gaydamak definitely cannot solve the problem.”