Israel at War Watch: Israel’s Defense Minister Peretz – IDF Will Expand Ground Offensive
Jerusalem Post: Peretz: IDF will expand ground offensive
Israel must not agree to an immediate cease-fire, but rather expand and strengthen its attacks on Hizbullah, Defense Minister Amir Peretz told an emergency session of the Knesset on Monday.
“We must not agree to a ceasefire that would be implemented immediately,” Peretz said at the start of the heated session.
Israel needs a victory not a bloody,messy staus quo. Flap believes Prime Minister Olmert must give the IDF the go-ahead for a large ground invasion in order to clear out Hezbollah strongholds. Strongholds that have proven to be much more fortified and numerous than previously thought. Air strikes alone have not been particularly effective in eliminating the rocket attacks on northern Israel.
Peretz’s speech was frequently interrupted by Arab MKs, many of whom called the Defense Minister a “child killer” and “scoundrel.” Three Arab MKs were eventually ejected from the session, as Knesset Speaker Dalia Itzik said she was giving them the “gift” of an ejection from the Knesset.
Aside from the Arab Party members, however, Peretz’s speech was widely echoed by MKs across the spectrum including Opposition Leader Binyamin Netanyahu who added that Hizbullah posed a strategic threat, and therefore required a strategic victory.
“The journey of war is like any other journey. It starts easily but midway there’s a difficult junction where we must decide whether we continue to climb the mountain or stop,” said Netanyahu. “I call on the government: Don’t stop midway. Complete the job.”
Well, if Olmert does not have the WILL to win this conflict with Hzbollah then Netanyahu will topple the Israeli government and finish the job.
There will be NO cease-fire until the Hezbollah threat is eliminated and the terrorists are disarmed. When Hezbollah no longer poses a military threat to Israel, the war will end – not before.
Israel needs to complete the job and with United States military support, if need be. The Israelis are fighting for America’s interests.
An IDF soldier stands in position at a concrete wall next to the Lebanese border in northern Israel, Sunday.
Captain Ed has Israel Will Expand Ground Offensive, Or Else ….
Netanyahu’s demands come as no surprise. He will want the war waged to maximum effect, and in a way represents a deterrent all on his own. If global pressure forces Olmert to leave Hezbollah in the field and still effectively attacking the Israeli north, Olmert’s Kadima coalition may well fail — and in wartime, the Israelis will likely turn to Netanyahu as the stronger alternative. Netanyahu will give the diplomats much less attention than Olmert, and may be tempted to widen the conflict to include Damascus.
Any “peace” that does not secure Israel against terrorist attack from Lebanon-based Hezbullah terrorists will be no peace at all. It could touch off a series of political changes that will create momentum for total war the likes of which have not been seen in the region for forty years.
Previous:
Israel at War Watch: Israel Agrees to 48 Hour Suspension Of Aerial Activity
Israel at War Watch: U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan Calls For An Immediate Cease-Fire in Lebanon
Israel at War Watch: Hezbollah Cowardly Civilian Blending Questioned?
Israel at War Watch: Iran – “This War is Our Warâ€
Michael Ramirez on the Cowardice of Hezbollah