Likud MK Yuval Shteinitz, chairman of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, has taken the unprecedented step of requesting that MK Yossi Sarid (Meretz) be removed from the committee. The request follows what Shteinitz called "attempted blackmail" by Sarid in the form of a threat to leak classified information.
During a committee meeting two weeks ago, Sarid asked Defense Minister Mofaz to reveal information pertaining to weapons used in a recent counter-terrorism strike in Gaza. Mofaz said that the information was classified, prompting Sarid to threaten that if Mofaz did not reveal the information, he himself would publicize it. Shteinitz, shocked at Sarid's behavior, said at the time that he would consider his response. He later turned to Knesset Speaker Ruby Rivlin and asked him to remove Sarid from the committee. It has been reported that Rivlin is expected to sharply rebuke Sarid, while Mofaz will provide the controversial information in a confidential manner.
Both Shteinitz and Sarid, neither of whom is generally shy in public, refused to speak to the media about the matter.
Shteinitz did speak about another topic this morning, telling Israel Radio that Egypt's mediation efforts are essentially their way of acting to preserve the Palestinian terror infrastructure. The Likud MK noted that instead of encouraging the PA to disarm the terrorists and disband their organizations, Egypt is once again trying to broker an arrangement to keep intact groups such as Hamas. In contrast with Jordan, Shteinitz noted, Egypt continues to allow a continuous flow of terrorists and weapons across its border into Israel.
This weekend, representatives of the PA's terrorist organizations will be meeting in Cairo to discuss a "ceasefire" with Israel. Shteinitz warned that Israel has paid a dear price in the past for temporary quiet with the Palestinians under "ceasefire" arrangements that were exploited by the Palestinians to expand and improve their assault capabilities. Repeating this mistake, he said, would ultimately bring a nightmare to Israel when the fighting resumes.
During a committee meeting two weeks ago, Sarid asked Defense Minister Mofaz to reveal information pertaining to weapons used in a recent counter-terrorism strike in Gaza. Mofaz said that the information was classified, prompting Sarid to threaten that if Mofaz did not reveal the information, he himself would publicize it. Shteinitz, shocked at Sarid's behavior, said at the time that he would consider his response. He later turned to Knesset Speaker Ruby Rivlin and asked him to remove Sarid from the committee. It has been reported that Rivlin is expected to sharply rebuke Sarid, while Mofaz will provide the controversial information in a confidential manner.
Both Shteinitz and Sarid, neither of whom is generally shy in public, refused to speak to the media about the matter.
Shteinitz did speak about another topic this morning, telling Israel Radio that Egypt's mediation efforts are essentially their way of acting to preserve the Palestinian terror infrastructure. The Likud MK noted that instead of encouraging the PA to disarm the terrorists and disband their organizations, Egypt is once again trying to broker an arrangement to keep intact groups such as Hamas. In contrast with Jordan, Shteinitz noted, Egypt continues to allow a continuous flow of terrorists and weapons across its border into Israel.
This weekend, representatives of the PA's terrorist organizations will be meeting in Cairo to discuss a "ceasefire" with Israel. Shteinitz warned that Israel has paid a dear price in the past for temporary quiet with the Palestinians under "ceasefire" arrangements that were exploited by the Palestinians to expand and improve their assault capabilities. Repeating this mistake, he said, would ultimately bring a nightmare to Israel when the fighting resumes.