Yisrael Beitenu Party leader MK Avigdor Lieberman has harsh words of criticism for Israel’s decision to enter into a ceasefire with Hamas. The right-wing opposition party leader agreed to be interviewed by the daily Haaretz. Following are portions of that interview.

ARE YOU SATISFIED? WE OPERATED WITH ALL OUR MIGHT, DELIVERED A MIGHTY BLOW. WHAT ELSE DO YOU WANT?

During the operation, the IDF reminded us of its abilities, being the strongest army in the Mideast. The IDF restored our national pride, our deterrence, which have been lost. However, what was accomplished here? Nothing! Gornicht! Our objective should have been to bring Hamas to its knees. This could have been accomplished without retaking or conquering Jabalya and other areas, but by controlling passages and Philadelphi Route. There are enough other elements in Gaza capable of replacing the Hamas regime.

BUT HAMAS WAS BEATEN, GAZA DESTROYED. WE HAVE PROVEN WE CAN BE LIKE PUTIN’S RUSSIA.

When the war between Russia and Georgia ended, no one questioned ‘who won’ but here, with the ceasefire, everyone questions how the strongest army in the Middle East is incapable to deal with 12,000 terrorists. The result is similar to that of the Second Lebanon War, compromising our deterrence abilities. Instead of bringing Hamas down, we have created a situation that is legitimizing the Hamas regime. It is only a matter of time until the Ramallah leaders fall and Hamas takes over there are well. In another year, instead of a weak Hamas, we will be facing an improved Hizbullah, one with hundreds of rockets capable of reaching Tel Aviv. You will see, rockets will strike the Defense Minister and Azrieli Tower.

ARE YOU EXPECTING ANOTHER CONFRONTATION?

Have no doubt that Hamas is already planning and will be back with an ability to strike Ben-Gurion Airport, the Defense Ministry and Dimona [nuclear plant].

YOU WERE MINISTER OF STRATEGIC AFFAIRS FOR 18 MONTHS. WHAT DO YOU VIEW AS THE MAJOR THREAT AGAINST ISRAEL TODAY?

Iran, Iran and Iran! Iran threatens us three ways, via Hizbullah and Hamas; by influencing world opinion that they can move ahead without Israel; and lastly, with nuclear and ballistic missiles.

If we were a ‘normal nation’ we would stop arguing about the PA (Palestinian Authority) and the Golan and we would begin addressing Iran, the real problem. The day after the new government takes office; we must tell the international community that we are not going to address any other issue, only Iran. The world will jump down our throats but that is the way it must be. Until the Iran issue is resolved, we are not willing to discuss the PA, Syria, settlements or any other items on the world’s agenda. After the Iran issue is resolved, we can begin concerning ourselves with Yehuda, Shomron and the Golan.

THERE ARE THOSE WHO BELIEVE IT IS TOO LATE – THAT WE MUST LEARN TO LIVE WITH A NUCLEAR IRAN. THEY SAY WE MUST NOW CONCENTRATE ON DETERRENCE!

G-D forbid! We can never learn to live with a nuclear Iran in 2010. This is tantamount that ‘learning to live with the election of Hitler in 1933. A nuclear Iran is the same as a nuclear Hitler – an absolute existential threat to Israel’.

IF DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS FAIL, MUST WE RESORT TO MILITARY MEANS TO STOP IRAN?

If we addressed the problem from 1996-2006 as we should have, today, we would be in an entirely different situation. ‘I would tell the world that we are like Czechoslovakia in 1938, one against one. The idea is not a bomb verses a bomb, but to explain to the international community that we are on their frontline. If we fall chas v’sholom, the west will follow suit’.

WHAT IS THE SECOND THREAT?

Extremist Israeli Arabs elements. We haven’t learned to support friends and tame enemies. Therefore, the message they receive is ‘it pays to be an extremist’.

YOUR OPPONENTS LABEL YOU AN EXTREMIST!

The problem has never been the Arabs. All said and done, they are okay, loyal. During the Yom Kippur War, they sat silently and they were okay. We the Jews however have proven that we are fools and traitors — that it does not pay to rely on us since we turn our backs on friends. We have abandoned our closest allies.

We have yet to learn that in Rome, one must do like the Romans and in the Mideast, one must act like the Mideast, and not like the European Union. There are the elitists who haven’t an idea where they are and they do not understand the extremists. As a result, those good and loyal to us are abandoned and betrayed and the extremists, who threaten us, they are appeased.

The interview goes on with additional questions, but the former minister’s position is abundantly clear. According to election polls, since the beginning of Operation Cast Lead, Lieberman’s party shows significant gains, now showing 15 plus seats in the general election.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)