Over 70 rockets have struck the Sderot and western Negev areas in the past nine days, claiming the lives of two people, while leaving others seriously injured. Dozens of residents were less seriously wounded, while there are a growing number of residents suffering from forms of hysteria and related symptoms. Many residents are unable to go about their daily routines, and schools are empty as parents are less willing to permit their children to sit in schools which have not been protected against rockets fired from northern Gaza.
The prime minister was miffed by the decision of the defense minister to contact PA (Palestinian Authority) Chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) earlier in the week, a move that Olmert insists undermines his efforts towards reestablishing diplomatic ties with the PA. The two senior ministers are scheduled to meet today, Wednesday, for a first time since the fallout, in the hope of putting the dire situation along Gaza’s northern border ahead of their egos.
The Security Cabinet is also scheduled to convene on Wednesday following another fatal rocket attack into southern Israel. Gaza seamline community residents and leaders are outraged at the government’s failure to rise to the occasion and take action to halt attacks.
Many angry and scared residents [and opposition politicians] point out that the government promised ahead of the Gaza Disengagement that missile attacks would be met with a fierce response.
National Infrastructure Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer last week told reporters “we have had enough!” calling for action. The retired IDF brigadier-general stated, “We withdrew from Gaza. What to they want? Instead of building Gaza they are busy attacking us!”
The minister is calling for “whatever it takes” to bring a halt to the attack, sharply disagreeing with some of his colleagues who believe the attacks cannot be totally halted. Ben-Eliezer told Galei Tzahal (Army Radio) last week that not only can they be halted, but this can be accomplished within a number of hours.
Ben-Eliezer is an opponent of IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Dan Halutz, who he would like to see step down, preferring to see Defense Ministry Director-General Gabi Ashkenazi appointed to the top military post. Ashkenazi lost his bid for chief of staff to Halutz, prompting him to resign from the IDF.
Halutz is an outspoken opponent of a major military operation in Gaza, supporting the theory that rocket attacks can be reduced in number somewhat, but they cannot be totally halted. His opponents feel he is afraid to act, possibly due to the army’s failures in this summer’s war in Lebanon. A recent survey of the general population revealed some 70% of the nation is calling for Peretz’s resignation, with a growing number calling on Halutz to step down as well.
With the open hostilities between the prime minister and defense minister at a time when southern residents have become victims of round-the-clock rocket attacks, there is a growing national sentiment of disapproval of the national government, in addition to fears of a lack of senior command leadership in the IDF following resignations and accusations of malfeasance during the war.
Veteran military correspondent Ron Ben-Yishai is calling for a major military offensive, expressing the viewpoint of a growing number of Israelis unwilling to endure unprovoked Arab terror against Israel’s civilian population centers.
Deputy Defense Minister Dr. Ephraim Sneh told Galei Tzahal (Army Radio) earlier today that whatever it takes to reduce the number of rocket attacks must be done, immediately, but the operation must focus on this mission. He stated an operation that focuses on satisfying public opinion is not one he will support.
The prime minister was miffed by the decision of the defense minister to contact PA (Palestinian Authority) Chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) earlier in the week, a move that Olmert insists undermines his efforts towards reestablishing diplomatic ties with the PA. The two senior ministers are scheduled to meet today, Wednesday, for a first time since the fallout, in the hope of putting the dire situation along Gaza’s northern border ahead of their egos.
The Security Cabinet is also scheduled to convene on Wednesday following another fatal rocket attack into southern Israel. Gaza seamline community residents and leaders are outraged at the government’s failure to rise to the occasion and take action to halt attacks.
Many angry and scared residents [and opposition politicians] point out that the government promised ahead of the Gaza Disengagement that missile attacks would be met with a fierce response.
National Infrastructure Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer last week told reporters “we have had enough!” calling for action. The retired IDF brigadier-general stated, “We withdrew from Gaza. What to they want? Instead of building Gaza they are busy attacking us!”
The minister is calling for “whatever it takes” to bring a halt to the attack, sharply disagreeing with some of his colleagues who believe the attacks cannot be totally halted. Ben-Eliezer told Galei Tzahal (Army Radio) last week that not only can they be halted, but this can be accomplished within a number of hours.
Ben-Eliezer is an opponent of IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Dan Halutz, who he would like to see step down, preferring to see Defense Ministry Director-General Gabi Ashkenazi appointed to the top military post. Ashkenazi lost his bid for chief of staff to Halutz, prompting him to resign from the IDF.
Halutz is an outspoken opponent of a major military operation in Gaza, supporting the theory that rocket attacks can be reduced in number somewhat, but they cannot be totally halted. His opponents feel he is afraid to act, possibly due to the army’s failures in this summer’s war in Lebanon. A recent survey of the general population revealed some 70% of the nation is calling for Peretz’s resignation, with a growing number calling on Halutz to step down as well.
With the open hostilities between the prime minister and defense minister at a time when southern residents have become victims of round-the-clock rocket attacks, there is a growing national sentiment of disapproval of the national government, in addition to fears of a lack of senior command leadership in the IDF following resignations and accusations of malfeasance during the war.
Veteran military correspondent Ron Ben-Yishai is calling for a major military offensive, expressing the viewpoint of a growing number of Israelis unwilling to endure unprovoked Arab terror against Israel’s civilian population centers.
Deputy Defense Minister Dr. Ephraim Sneh told Galei Tzahal (Army Radio) earlier today that whatever it takes to reduce the number of rocket attacks must be done, immediately, but the operation must focus on this mission. He stated an operation that focuses on satisfying public opinion is not one he will support.