Posted on 12/03/2006 12:07:39 PM PST by ScaniaBoy
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Foreign Minister Tzippi Livni overruled Israel’s security chiefs Sunday, handing down orders that soldiers are to make no effort to prevent rocket fire.
Israel Radio diplomatic affairs correspondent Shmuel Tal reported Sunday afternoon that the Security Cabinet decided at its meeting to instruct the IDF not to take action to stop terrorists identified as about to launch rockets towards Israel or hit them immediately afterward either.
Defense Minister Amir Peretz and Public Security Minister Avi Dichter both argued that Israel is obligated to protect its citizens from rocket fire. They were overruled, however, by Olmert and Livni, who asserted that there are “other considerations.”
Peretz told the Cabinet that the cease-fire agreement in Gaza is being observed only “in-part” and said it was critical that Egypt act to intercept arms before they were transferred to Gaza through the Rafiah tunnel system. He also disclosed that IDF officials have been attending meetings with the Hamas officials running the Palestinian Authority militia. Peretz also urged those present to allow the IDF to fire at those preparing to launch rockets. "The safety of the citizens of Israel must not be gambled with,” Peretz said. “We must act against rocket launching cells.”
Olmert and Livni struck down the idea though. “We must act responsibly and wisely, while considering all aspects of the issue,” Olmert said.
“The situation is sensitive and we must act with wisdom and serious consideration," Foreign Minister Livni echoed.
The Cabinet decision came just over an hour after a fifteenth rocket since the declaration of the cease-fire was fired toward Jewish towns in the western Negev.
Islamic Jihad Promises Attack “In the Coming Hours”
The Islamic Jihad terror group threatened to attack Israel "in the coming hours" Sunday evening. It made the threat, the spokesman said, due to Israel's “70 violations of the cease-fire.” Islamic Jihad and other terrorists groups have charged that Israel's counter-terrorist actions in Judea and Samaria are in a violation of the ceasefire, although the agreement was restricted to the Gaza region.
"Calm is on the cusp of collapse due to the continued Zionist violations and attacks against our Palestinian people in the West Bank and Gaza," Islamic Jihad spokesman Abu Ahmed said in a recorded statement. "Nobody should blame us for any reaction our brigades will take in the coming hours in response to the violations by the Zionist occupation."
Security Cabinet Calls for Yet Another Withdrawal
The Security Cabinet ordered the withdrawal of IDF forces from the town of Ghajar – which straddles the Israeli-Lebanese border and has been a center of arms and drug smuggling as well as terrorist infiltrations.
Thus, Israeli Druze of Ghajar will find themselves under the authority of the United Nations forces that are being entrusted to patrol the area.
Hopefully the Druze will find that the blue helmets make nice targets.
;) ;)
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus
Sheesh!
"FDR overrules Nimitz, grants immunity to kamikazes."
I guess we'll just have to wait and see what these "other considerations" turn out to be.
Bibi would have removed the city blocks where the rockets came from.Count the mosques in your neighbourhoods, note their locations, then stay well armed and safe. Merry Christmas, and.................FRegards
My thoughts on this idiot Olmert now is What the f*** is going on inside that moron's head?????
Looks like Israilis need to take matters into their own hands.
The pols seem to want them dead.
Memo to Olmerde: "GET THE HELL OUT OF BIBI's HOUSE!"
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