The Logic of the Occupier

And just what is this "restraint" Peretz speaks of?

Sderot residents not afraid, Peretz says

Defense Minister dismisses 'fear-mongers' who exaggerate Sderot plight, says offensive in Gaza not intended
Hanan Greenberg

Defense Minister Amir Peretz said Wednesday that he does not intend to launch an offensive in Gaza, but is prepared to do so if he has no choice. "Sadly, the option of going into Gaza is always available, because it's always there," he said at a conference at Tel Aviv University.

"Sderot has become a civilian outpost on the Israeli front lines," Peretz said, praising the leaders of Gaza vicinity communities. He also dismissed rumors of hysteria in the region.

"I want to send a message to all fear-mongers who spoke up recently. No one should dare present a false, exaggerated picture of miserable residents. This is wrong and serves our enemies," he said.

Peretz told of a recent meeting he had with a soldier from the Golani infantry unit, who asked the defense minister to allow him and his friends to go in and fight in Gaza.

"I told him that I was proud of his desire to sacrifice himself for the state, but explained that my responsibility is not only to the citizens of the Sderot area, but also to his mother.

"I want to be sure, I told the soldier, that before he receives an order to enter (Gaza), we did everything we could," to ensure his safety, he said.

According to Peretz, it seems sometimes that the desire to launch a massive operation in Gaza is nothing more than a knee-jerk response. "We need to take things in the right proportions…The IDF is operating in Gaza on a daily basis and is hurting terror capabilities.

"Restraint is a form of strength," he said.

"The State of Israel can afford to show restraint and operate when it wants and how it wants, and there's no reason that Hamas should dictate what we should do and when. The IDF's operations are the correct ones, in the correct degree. They are powerful and well thought out."