Israel
Cabinet: IDF Gaza Operation Summer Rains To Continue
By Israel News
Agency Staff Jerusalem----July
10, 2006......In today's meeting of the Israel Cabinet in Jerusalem, Israel Defense
Minister Amir Peretz, Israel Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, the IDF Intelligence
Corps Director of Research and the Deputy Director of the Israel Security Agency
briefed ministers on various security and diplomatic issues, including - inter
alia - the goals of Operation Summer Rains. The
Israel Cabinet discussed the return of Israel Defense Forces Cpl. Gilad Shalit
to his home, the cessation of Kassam rocket fire from Gaza, and the determination
of new rules of conduct regarding the Palestinian Authority and the Hamas government.
The
concept regarding use of force includes limited-duration IDF ground operations,
the continuation of Israel Air Force aerial attacks against various targets (such
as rocket cells), IDF artillery fire and other actions. Israel
Ministers were briefed on IDF data regarding strikes against terrorists and infrastructure
and the implementation of the humanitarian plan regarding the entrance of basic
goods into the Gaza Strip, especially merchandise and humanitarian equipment through
the Karni crossing and the transfer of fuels via the Nahal Oz terminal. Ministers
were also briefed on developments in the Palestinian sphere. Israel Foreign
Minister Livni briefed ministers on Israel’s diplomatic moves regarding the current
crisis and reactions around the world to what is happening in our region. In this
context, she briefed ministers on her recent visit to Russia and Finland. She
also said that in the last two days she has received telephone calls from her
German, British, Norwegian and Jordanian counterparts. The
Israel Foreign Minister said that it was clear to all that Israel’s right to defend
itself includes actions against the firing of Kassam rockets from Gaza and that
Israel has a legitimate and uncontested right to act to bring about the release
of IDF Cpl. Shalit. Israel
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert summarized the Cabinet discussion as follows: the main
goals of Operation Summer Rains are as they were presented to the Cabinet last
week. The IDF was deployed for operational activity against Kassam rocket fire
even before Cpl. Shalit’s abduction; the abduction added a dimension that required
special attention. That everything that could have been done has been done in
order to gain information and prevent Cpl. Shalit from being moved. While the
goal is to restore Cpl. Shalit to his family safe and sound, action in his regard
must be left to those who are dealing with this issue since it involves human
life. Regarding
the conduct of military operations, Olmert stated there is no intention and no
planning to reoccupy the Gaza Strip in order to remain there; IDF ground actions
are in Gaza in order to achieve certain goals within a defined period. Regarding
the objectives of the military activity, a timetable cannot be set for IDF Operation
Summer Rains in advance. However, it does have an international dimension; the
Israel Defense Forces have been fighting for almost two weeks and the international
response to the results of the fighting has been low-key. The
actions initiated by Israel Defense Minister Peretz, and the Israel Foreign Ministry’s
international activity, are being carried out in the proper measure and at the
proper pace, thus allowing Israel military freedom of action and maintaining its
ability to receive international backing.
Israel’s position on the prisoner issue is clear and unequivocal - “We will not
negotiate with Hamas regarding an exchange of prisoners.” The
various security services merit the Israel Cabinet’s fullest appreciation for
their determination in carrying out their missions. The
Cabinet approved certain amendments to the 2002 Capital Investments Encouragement
Ordinance to the effect that all minority communities will - until 14.10.06 -
be considered “A” development areas and preferred tourism enterprise areas.
In accordance with Israel Government policy and its commitment to reducing gaps
between the Jewish sector and the minorities sector, and in light of the depressed
employment situation, the low rate of capital investment and the level of economic
development in the minorities sector, it was proposed that the all minority communities
enjoy “A” development status regardless of their geographic location and that
the rules regarding the granting of benefits apply to them. The
Israel Cabinet approved assistance to poultry farmers following the closure of
the goose liver sector. Pursuant
to its authority under the Israel 1959 Civil Service Law (Political Activity and
Fundraising), the Cabinet authorized the Supreme Court to accept a NIS 270,000
donation from the American Friends of the Israeli Supreme Court in order to upgrade
the Supreme Court library’s computers, maintain them for one year and purchase
a bar-code scanner in order to improve its level of services. The
Israel Cabinet accepted Science, Technology, Culture and Sports Minister Ophir
Pines-Paz’s proposal to rename his ministry as the Science, Culture and Sports
Ministry, and to change his title accordingly. Pursuant
to its authority under the Israel 1961 Cadi Law, the Cabinet chose Israel Housing
and Construction Minister Meir Shetrit to join Justice Minister Haim Ramon as
a member of the Cadi Appointment Committee. Pursuant
to its authority under the Israel 1962 Druze Religious Courts Law, the Israel
Cabinet chose Education Minister Yuli Tamir to join Justice Minister Haim Ramon
as a member of the Druze Religious Court Judge Appointment Committee. The
above was transmitted to the Israel News Agency by the Israel Government
Press Office. ISRAEL
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