Agriculture Minister Uri Ariel (Jewish Home) supports allowing Hamas more economic freedom in Gaza, he stated Monday, opining that it is Israel's responsibility in order to ensure stability in the region.
"We want to build a seaport in Gaza, so that they can import and export goods," Ariel stated in an interview with the Knesset Channel. "As of today, they don't have any real products."
"They can't export it, either - not by land, not through Jordan, not through Egypt, [and] not through the sea," he added. "Israel must control Gaza, but only militarily. We are responsible for the region and we must permit them to do as we do."
Ariel's stance remains in sharp contrast with Jewish Home chairman Naftali Bennett's, who remained adamant in the wake of Operation Protective Edge in Gaza that Israel cannot concede to any of Hamas's many demands - including a seaport.
Ariel also related to the recent string of sexual harassment complaints publicized against several MKs and Ministers, most recently outgoing Interior Minister Silvan Shalom (Likud).
"Anyone who does not understand women who complain of sexual harassment, even after 20 years, does not know who or what he's talking about," Ariel fired. "A woman who was abused will not forget it for the rest of her life."
"We need to change the [statute of limitations] law," he insisted.