MK (Likud) Dr. Yuval Shteinitz, a former chairman of the Knesset Foreign Affairs & Defense Committee, issued a statement calling upon the government not to release hundreds of terrorists in exchange for IDF soldier Gilad Shalit.

Speaking at an event in Beersheva on Shabbos, Shteinitz stated a truce with Hamas will only serve the interests of the terrorist organization, permitting it to rearm, bringing “a second Hizbullah” into Gaza.

Shteinitz told the audience that in the same situation 20 years ago, “Israel would retake Gaza and release Shalit that way.”

The veteran lawmaker explained the problem is the price for Shalit’s release continues to increase, and the current reality is a symptom of Israel’s weakness. Capitulation to terrorists will only serve to encourage the future abduction of other soldiers he stated, and such realities must be avoided.

On the issue of Iran, he is confident that America will most likely attack Iran if the nuclear enrichment program is not halted in compliance with demands by the international community.

He stated that he has heard from American officials that “history will not forgive President Bush if he does not attack Iran.”

Regarding the government’s messages of talks with the Syrians, he explained Washington is quite angry with Olmert for moving ahead with Damascus contrary to strong American objections. He stated that as he views the situation, “Olmert is sabotaging American policy” and this explained Shteinitz is contrary to future joint cooperation between Israel and the United States.

In a reference to Transportation Minister (Kadima) Shaul Mofaz, a former defense minister and IDF chief of staff, Shteinitz blamed him for the IDF’s state of ill-preparedness during the Second Lebanon War, and for moving ahead with an IDF troop withdrawal from Philadelphi Route in Gaza.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)