Monday, October 31, 2005

Peres criticises IDF operations in Samaria

From Jerusalem Post Oct. 30, 2005 13:39 Updated Oct. 30, 2005 17:56 By REBECCA A. STOIL ...

Vice Prime Minister Shimon Peres spoke out Sunday morning against the isolation of northern Samaria as part of the government's offensive against the Islamic Jihad terror organization that began in response to last Wednesday's deadly suicide bombing in Hadera . 'It is unacceptable under any circumstances to isolate northern Samaria. It is against all promises made by Israel,' Peres asserted.

Immediately following Wednesday's deadly bombing, which killed five Israelis, Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz approved a series of measures, unlimited in time and scope.... As part of those measures, the IDF issued a major clamp-down on Palestinian movement in northern Samaria, as well as a total ban on Palestinians entering Israel. Private Arab vehicles were barred from traveling in northern Samaria and the IDF erected numerous additional roadblocks across the region.

...The offices of both Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz and Prime Minister Ariel Sharon (said) it was unclear why Peres would say such a thing, as the decision to isolate northern Samaria was an operational military decision and was thus not dependant on receiving an okay from the cabinet or the government. "... this activity will continue until we can say that the Islamic Jihad infrastructure can no longer carry out suicide bombings," Mofaz said Sunday ahead of the weekly cabinet meeting...

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