The chairman of the Yisrael Beytenu party, MK Avigdor Liberman, spoke to Arutz Sheva-Israel National News on Thursday, stressing his and his party's commitment to support any move that will lead to the elimination of Hamas and its leaders.
He also called on the government to understand the enormous global support for Israel and to take advantage of this opportunity to bring about a complete change in the equation.
Almost a week since the start of the fighting, what is happening now and what needs to be done at the operational level in the field?
"We are still trying to clear the territory of the State of Israel and make sure that there are no more terrorist squads left here that are hiding, and right now we need to focus on that, and we must move the mission to the enemy's territory, as quickly as possible. The IDF is getting organized and right now we need to support the government, the IDF and the security forces. The most optimistic point in the last few days is the mutual responsibility and people with tremendous motivation. My son had to recruit 20 people for his elite unit, 50 people arrived and there was almost a fight over who would be recruited."
What do you think is a fitting end to this important campaign?
"It is impossible to end this war without a ground maneuver and a ground entry. There is no escape from it. I remember 2005 very well. On September 23, 2005, we launched 'Operation First Rain', and until May 2023 we had to do 15 military operations. Now after 15 operations, we entered a war. This cannot continue."
MK Liberman clarified his support and his party's support for the continuation of the fighting and the achievement of definite and unequivocal operational goals and said, "If they contact us, of course we will join. If they don’t contact us?We will continue to support the coalition.We have already said, we do not want ministerial portfolios or a coalition agreement.Nothing, just that they put us in the government until the end of the war.All six of our MKs will support entering the government and any move that will lead to a decision."
"I remind you, on November 13, 2018, [there was] a difficult six-hour cabinet meeting, I demand that we go in and wipe out Gaza, Netanyahu organizes a coalition against me and passes a resolution for a ceasefire with Hamas and also transfers money to them. On November 14, I resign [as Defense Minister] and say at the press conference that ‘a ceasefire with Hamas is a surrender to terrorism, we buy short-term peace at the price of long-term loss of national security.’ That was then, today we see the results."
It appears that international support for Israel is at its peak, how do you explain that?How should this credit from world powers be used?
"There has never been such support for Israel from the civilized world, from the US and from the citizens of Israel. We paid a huge price, just a crazy price.It is inconceivable that after we have paid this entire price and there is support from all sides, that we will not go all the way here.That's why I want to hear from the Prime Minister and the Minister of Defense that the goal of the fighting is the elimination of Hamas and all the leaders of Hamas, not just Hamas targets."
In conclusion, he said, "After the Munich Massacre, Golda [Meir] made a decision that we would settle the score with each of the murderers, and indeed we did. There is no reason why we should not settle the score with those murderers of Hamas and get to each and every one of them."