Political-Security Cabinet member Minister Naftali Bennett clarified his position on the war in Gaza this morning:<\/p>\r\n
"The State of Israel is at a critical moment in its history. Radical Islam seeks to wipe the Jewish state off the face of the earth. They are not looking for a piece of land, nor a Palestinian state. Only our destruction.".<\/p>\r\n
\u00a0Khamenei in Iran. Nasrallah in Lebanon. Haniyeh in Gaza. Meshaal in Qatar. All the arms of jihad watching how we will respond.<\/p>\r\n
\u00a0The world stands on the sidelines, indifferent and even clucking its tongue in self-righteousness, not realizing that it will soon reach them. Justifying, theoretically, our right to self-defense, but condemning, practically, our exercise of this right.<\/p>\r\n
\u00a0The tunnels are not the root of the problem. They are extensions of the strategy of destruction.<\/p>\r\n
\u00a0The root of the problem is our enemy's belief that they are capable of winning. If they persist in the struggle, we will be broken and run away from here. This hope of theirs must be uprooted. And possibly. by force.<\/p>\r\n
\u00a0The central strategic surprise of the Protective Edge War is not the Iron Dome, but the iron web of the people of Israel.<\/p>\r\n
\u00a0Something is happening in the people of Israel. 30,000 come to the funeral of a lone soldier. Wounded people fight to return to the battlefield. Reserve units arrive for 130% reporting. The public flocks to the wounded in the hospitals with sweets and love. The intersections are filled with flags and wonderful youth. The current generation of warriors and commanders is revealed in all its heroism and professionalism. Bereaved parents grab you by the arm and say: Not in vain. To the decisive end.<\/p>\r\n
\u00a0The people of Israel are united as never before. The people of Caleb will rise and his lion will be exalted.<\/p>\r\n
\u00a0What should be done?<\/p>\r\n
\u00a0Mark the goal: demilitarization of the Strip. The Strip is like Judea and Samaria. Without missiles, without tunnels. Give the IDF a clear mission: Get us there.<\/p>\r\n
\u00a0Do not let up. Do not stop until you achieve this goal - by force or by agreement. Strike Hamas mercilessly. Day and night. Weekdays and holidays. Without respite and without rest.<\/p>\r\n
\u00a0Until a decision is made.<\/p>\r\n
\u00a0The State of Israel is at a critical moment, within striking distance: Hamas is defeated; Iron Dome is operating; IDF fighters and commanders are highly motivated and professional. Hamas is isolated. The home front is strong. The people of Israel are united.<\/p>\r\n
\u00a0Now is the time.<\/p>\r\n
\u00a0If foreign leaders ask us to stop, we should tell them respectfully and politely: 'Dear Sir: This is about the lives of Israeli citizens. Our sovereignty. Our existence here. Are you willing to bring this to us? Fight in our place? Oh, no? Then please clear the way for us, until we finish the job.'.<\/p>\r\n
\u00a0We will not receive pressure, but appreciation and respect.<\/p>\r\n
\u00a0The world respects a nation that protects its citizens.<\/p>\r\n
\u00a0And a word about the tunnels.<\/p>\r\n
\u00a0The threat of the tunnels is now tangible and clear to all the people of Israel. The mission in relation to the tunnels is not to "do our best to reduce the number of tunnels" but to wipe out all the tunnels. If another month is needed for that, then we will accept. If a year of work in a buffer zone is needed, then we will demand and accept. If IDF freedom of action into the Gaza Strip is needed permanently, then we will demand and accept.<\/p>\r\n
\u00a0Not "to the best of our ability" but "eliminating the threat of tunnels.".<\/p>\r\n
\u00a0But above all, understand: when we make a decision, there will be no tunnels.<\/p>\r\n
\u00a0Only a clear decision will prevent the next war.<\/p>\r\n
\u00a0Only a clear decision will stop the next enemy who is waiting for his turn.<\/p>\r\n
\u00a0Only a clear decision will prevent the next deaths; the next dangers.<\/p>\r\n
\u00a0I am working with all my might to promote this concept in every forum, and I believe that the Defense Cabinet, under the confident leadership of our Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, will adopt the correct concept.<\/p>\r\n
\u00a0The Israeli spirit will prevail. This time too.<\/p>\r\n
\u00a0"The Lord will give strength to his people, the Lord will bless his people with peace.".<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Minister Naftali Bennett on the goals of the war \u2022 "The central strategic surprise of 'Protective Edge' is not the Iron Dome, but the iron web of the people of Israel \u2022 Something is happening in the people of Israel. 30,000 come to the funeral of a lone soldier. Wounded people fight to return to battle"\"","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-58556","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-1"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n