During his address to the annual Herzliya Conference, Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon explained that Israel succeeded in removing the conflict with the PA (Palestinian Authority) from the top of the national agenda “to its fitting place”.

“There is no peace because there is political resistance. Since Oslo, during each period, one will always hear the Israelis blaming the leadership while ignoring the refusal of the Palestinian leadership”, hinting to the coalition government agreement recently signed between PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) and Hamas.

The senior minister also warned on Tuesday, 12 Sivan, that Hamas is preparing for the next armed conflict with Israel. He told soldiers during a visit to the Gaza Division that Hamas troops are training hard and stockpiling rockets and other weapons for the next conflict.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)