While the White House attempts to play down the pro-Israeli aspects of U.S. President George Bush\'s speech of two nights ago, Bush himself continues to make remarks sympathetic to Israel. He was asked, upon his arrival in Canada for the G-8 summit, about Israel\'s anti-terrorism offensive in Hevron, and said, \"Everyone has the right to defend themselves...\"
How will this right be exercised in Gaza? Israeli towns in Gaza find themselves under mortar barrage, with at least four shells fired on one Jewish community this morning, and a lone shell on another Jewish town last night. Property damage was caused, but no casualties. Arab forces fired at two outposts near Netzarim as well. Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said yesterday that he would not \"entangle our forces in Gaza, but we will act to strike major blow to Hamas headquarters there.\" He said that whoever thinks we should return to Gaza, \"doesn\'t understand. I know Gaza better than anyone else, and we don\'t have to be there. But whoever thinks that Hamas should be there, is also mistaken.\"
MK Tzvi Hendel, a resident of Gush Katif, disagrees that the IDF need not take over Gaza:
\"Yes, Sharon was a commander in Gaza, and he certainly took care of the problems - but he was younger then by a few decades. And he was the real Arik Sharon then, not someone who has to find ways to bridge between [government ministers] Shimon Peres and Effie Eitam.\"
\"Do you mean that Sharon\'s statement was only politics?\" Hendel was asked. \"Most definitely!\" he responded. \"To liquidate terrorism, we must *begin* in Gaza, not end there. The main terrorist nests are there, and they must all be uprooted at the source. What, do I have to remind the listeners of Arutz-7 that over 1,100 shells were fired so far from Gaza onto both sides of the Green Line? … Forces must be sent to every single millimeter of Judea, Samaria and Gaza, in order to get to every single corner of terrorism… Today, a television poll on Channel 2 showed the healthy attitude of the people. The question was, \'Do you support a long-range entry into Gaza?\' - and even though it emphasized \'long-range,\' almost 70% of the people answered yes! … There is no more room for games. Even Bush just gave us a green light - so what are we waiting for?!\"
How will this right be exercised in Gaza? Israeli towns in Gaza find themselves under mortar barrage, with at least four shells fired on one Jewish community this morning, and a lone shell on another Jewish town last night. Property damage was caused, but no casualties. Arab forces fired at two outposts near Netzarim as well. Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said yesterday that he would not \"entangle our forces in Gaza, but we will act to strike major blow to Hamas headquarters there.\" He said that whoever thinks we should return to Gaza, \"doesn\'t understand. I know Gaza better than anyone else, and we don\'t have to be there. But whoever thinks that Hamas should be there, is also mistaken.\"
MK Tzvi Hendel, a resident of Gush Katif, disagrees that the IDF need not take over Gaza:
\"Yes, Sharon was a commander in Gaza, and he certainly took care of the problems - but he was younger then by a few decades. And he was the real Arik Sharon then, not someone who has to find ways to bridge between [government ministers] Shimon Peres and Effie Eitam.\"
\"Do you mean that Sharon\'s statement was only politics?\" Hendel was asked. \"Most definitely!\" he responded. \"To liquidate terrorism, we must *begin* in Gaza, not end there. The main terrorist nests are there, and they must all be uprooted at the source. What, do I have to remind the listeners of Arutz-7 that over 1,100 shells were fired so far from Gaza onto both sides of the Green Line? … Forces must be sent to every single millimeter of Judea, Samaria and Gaza, in order to get to every single corner of terrorism… Today, a television poll on Channel 2 showed the healthy attitude of the people. The question was, \'Do you support a long-range entry into Gaza?\' - and even though it emphasized \'long-range,\' almost 70% of the people answered yes! … There is no more room for games. Even Bush just gave us a green light - so what are we waiting for?!\"