Binyamin Netanyahu demands 'crippling' of Hamas

[Purveyor]

Binyamin Netanyahu, Israel's rightwing opposition leader and favourite to win next month's elections, said today Israel needed a "clear victory" against Hamas and that the movement should "ultimately be removed" from Gaza.

He called for a victory against the Islamist movement "that will cripple its capability" to attack. "At a minimum, the firing of rockets must stop and the smuggling corridors that have enabled Hamas to smuggle thousands of rockets into Gaza must be sealed," he told a news conference. "We are fighting a just war, perhaps the most just war there is."

Netanyahu has seen his large opinion poll lead eroded since the start of the conflict 18 days ago, while support has grown for his rivals Tzipi Livni, the foreign minister, and Ehud Barak, the defence minister. Although the outcome of the conflict is likely to shift political opinion again, Netanyahu remains ahead for now.

He has made it clear that halting Iran's nuclear ambitions will be a priority and he described Hamas in Gaza as a proxy Iranian force. He rejected a peace treaty with Hamas, which he said would only legitimise the movement and give "immunity to terror".

He said Israel should not unilaterally withdraw from more territory, including the Golan Heights and parts of the West Bank, which were both captured and occupied in the 1967 war.

The peace process with the Palestinians could not succeed, he said, and instead there should be economic investment – what he calls "economic peace" – in the Palestinian territories rather than negotiations on the core issues of a final agreement.

MORE...

GUARDIAN: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jan/13/isreal-election-benjamin-netanyahu-hamas

[no_hypocrisy]

1. Bottleneck

[bluestateguy]

2. He is criticizing the government during a war

and that's wrong.

[billyoc]

3. Wow, that's just what he said about Hezbollah

as the Merkava tanks were rolling back into Israel.

On the back of the tow trucks.

[PerfectSage]

4. The greatest threat to the state of Israel is the shitty quality of it's politicians

Like Binyamin Netanyahu.

[GoesTo11]

5. He wants attention because he's been slipping in the polls

From the same article:

"Netanyahu has seen his large opinion poll lead eroded since the start of the conflict 18 days ago, while support has grown for his rivals Tzipi Livni, the foreign minister, and Ehud Barak, the defence minister. Although the outcome of the conflict is likely to shift political opinion again, Netanyahu remains ahead for now."

[bunnies]

6. Whoever abuses Gazans the most...

will win the election. How sick.

[Vegasaurus]

14. Wrong.

Hamas has abused the Gazans most.

Imagine if they put building an economy, educating their children, providing services, and growing their society, above terrorism.

Think of what Gaza could be today.

So many opportunties, lost forever.

[methinks2]

15. Imagine if the civilian population of gaza

had freedom. If there were no military checkpoints. Imagine how they would behave is they weren't insulted by teenagers with automatic weapons everyday. Imagine if they could choose where they live! Imagine a world where no one cares what religion you are. A world where all people born in the country had equal rights. Imagine if . . .

[Vegasaurus]

16. There are no military checkpoints in Gaza

no teenagers to insult them.

I think you are a little confused.

[methinks2]

17. there are no checkpoints?

So the civilians of Gaza can leave anytime they want? Checkpoints are all over Palestine/Israel. I've had the unpleasant experience of going through checkpoints. So have other Americans.

[methinks2]

20. So if a person lives in Gaza, do they call

a moving company and say I'd like to move to Jerusalem? Just like in America. Nobody searches them or their belongings? No delays? Just hop in the car and go.

[EFerrari]

19. Ridiculous. You can't build your economy if Israel withholds your tax money

because they don't like your election results. You can't educate your children if they are hungry or thirsty or sick.

Grow up.

[High Plains]

7. Netanyahu should be with his buddy Sharon.

[EFerrari]

8. He's as big a psycho as Dick Cheney. He even presents the same way.

What he says is totally divorced from reality. Does this bastard have grandchildren, too?

[LeftishBrit]

13. I don't think he has grandchildren yet

He has three children - and a 'refusenik' pacifist nephew.

[EFerrari]

18. That's right! I heard the nephew on Amy Goodman's show.

He was very clear. :)

http://www.democracynow.org/2008/12/31/israeli_lawmaker_and_conscientious_objector_nephew

[azurnoir]

9. An economic peace or an economic piece ? n/t

[LeftishBrit]

10. He's *all* that the situation there needs - hope he loses!

[methinks2]

11. I wonder if the civilian bodies are

crunchy beneath his boots. :puke:

[Barack_America]

12. Oh just shut up! (Netanyahu)

All of this election gamesmanship at the expense of Palestinian lives is just sickening!