IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Sha’ul Mofaz made an appearance at the government\'s weekly Cabinet meeting today and briefed the ministers on Israel\'s current military strategy in the war against the PA. His basic message was that the purpose at present is not \"to destroy the PA, but to signal it... We aim to pursue the terrorists themselves and those who dispatch them, and to reduce their freedom of action.\" Defense Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer criticized Mofaz and called on him not \"speak in cliches.\" Ministers Uzi Landau and Tzippy Livni were also not pleased with Mofaz\'s portrayal, and demanded to know if the army had submitted operative proposals to the government that were not approved.
Mofaz told the Cabinet that there is a \"division of labor\" among the Palestinians: \"Hamas and the Islamic Jihad concentrate on terrorist attacks within the Green Line, while Fatah, Tanzim, and the PA security agencies carry out attacks in Judea and Samaria.\" He further said that the PA is working to inculcate the Palestinian population with the need of fighting a war.
Tourism Minister Rehavam Ze\'evi called for the bombing of every place where PA manufactures weapons. He further recommended the \"jamming and bombing of PA media broadcasting stations used to incite to the murder of Jews.\"
Arutz-7\'s Haggai Seri asked Minister Danny Naveh today, \"Isn\'t it time for the government to signal a bit less and start smashing a bit harder?\" Naveh responded, \"I cannot relate to that which was said at the meeting today, but it\'s clear that there has been a sharp and clear change of policy over the past weeks - one that has been painful for the Palestinian Authority - involving our pro-active activities and attacks. I am convinced that this will continue. It is true, however, that it does not appear that the PA has understood the message that it has much to lose if it continues with the terrorism and violence, and therefore our strong deterrent strategy must continue until he does - possibly even more strongly.\"
Mofaz told the Cabinet that there is a \"division of labor\" among the Palestinians: \"Hamas and the Islamic Jihad concentrate on terrorist attacks within the Green Line, while Fatah, Tanzim, and the PA security agencies carry out attacks in Judea and Samaria.\" He further said that the PA is working to inculcate the Palestinian population with the need of fighting a war.
Tourism Minister Rehavam Ze\'evi called for the bombing of every place where PA manufactures weapons. He further recommended the \"jamming and bombing of PA media broadcasting stations used to incite to the murder of Jews.\"
Arutz-7\'s Haggai Seri asked Minister Danny Naveh today, \"Isn\'t it time for the government to signal a bit less and start smashing a bit harder?\" Naveh responded, \"I cannot relate to that which was said at the meeting today, but it\'s clear that there has been a sharp and clear change of policy over the past weeks - one that has been painful for the Palestinian Authority - involving our pro-active activities and attacks. I am convinced that this will continue. It is true, however, that it does not appear that the PA has understood the message that it has much to lose if it continues with the terrorism and violence, and therefore our strong deterrent strategy must continue until he does - possibly even more strongly.\"