The decision to launch the attack on the Syrian target was made at an emergency meeting of the security cabinet yesterday. Prime Minister Sharon, Foreign Minister Peres, and Defense Minister Ben-Eliezer had convened to decide on it first, but Sharon could not convince them of the need for the attack. He therefore convened the entire security cabinet, of which 13 members showed up and voted 11-2 to approve the strike. Transportation Minister Ephraim Sneh said he had reservations about the timing, but agreed that the attack was necessary.
The government stated today that Hizbullah had been acting with Syrian approval, and that despite the fact that Israel was in total compliance with the UN resolution calling on Israel to withdraw from southern Lebanon. The statement further stated that the governments of Lebanon and Syria were responsible for ending the Hizbullah terrorist attacks across the international border.
The strike has drawn praise from across the Israeli political spectrum. Former Minister Yossi Beilin (Labor) said that the air strike was \"correct and just.\" Science and Culture Minister Matan Vilnai (Labor), a former IDF major-general, similarly stated that Israel has no other way to tell the Syrians that continued Hizbullah terrorist attacks across the border would not be tolerated. MK Ran Cohen (Meretz) stated the move was \"justified but perhaps not wise\' at this time, as it \"may lead to increased Hizbullah attacks.\" Tourism Minister Rehavam Ze\'evi said that now the Syrians will begin to be afraid, instead of the Jews in the Galilee.
The government stated today that Hizbullah had been acting with Syrian approval, and that despite the fact that Israel was in total compliance with the UN resolution calling on Israel to withdraw from southern Lebanon. The statement further stated that the governments of Lebanon and Syria were responsible for ending the Hizbullah terrorist attacks across the international border.
The strike has drawn praise from across the Israeli political spectrum. Former Minister Yossi Beilin (Labor) said that the air strike was \"correct and just.\" Science and Culture Minister Matan Vilnai (Labor), a former IDF major-general, similarly stated that Israel has no other way to tell the Syrians that continued Hizbullah terrorist attacks across the border would not be tolerated. MK Ran Cohen (Meretz) stated the move was \"justified but perhaps not wise\' at this time, as it \"may lead to increased Hizbullah attacks.\" Tourism Minister Rehavam Ze\'evi said that now the Syrians will begin to be afraid, instead of the Jews in the Galilee.