Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman on Wednesday 13 Adar spoke to Maariv, explaining he is among those who believe Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s address before the US Congress was an important event. Lieberman made a point of saying he was not invited to accompany Mr. Netanyahu, but was not hesitant to praise the address, which he feels was a success.

However, Lieberman feels this alone is insufficient and Israel must restore its deterrence against its enemies. He explains “The fact that we did not topple the Hamas administration and that we released 3,000 terrorists is very problematic”.

Lieberman then stated that when Menachem Begin attacked the nuclear reactor in Iraq and according to foreign media reports Ehud Barak bombed a nuclear facility in Syria there were no arguments on the airwaves. He stressed that despite pessimism among some, he is not concerned regarding long-term Israel/US relations for he is certain the special relationship between the countries remains strong and steadfast. He does admit that the current tensions do not enhance those relations however.

He then spoke about the attack against MK Hanin Zoabi at an election event this week, when she was hit with a glass of juice or water. http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/news/ywn-videos/288597/video-of-interest-arab-mk-zoabi-attacked-at-ramat-gan-election-panel-discussion.html Lieberman explained there is no place for violence in the political arena, adding “There is also no place for Zoabi in Knesset”.

The minister feels the Knesset must legislate a law that prevents High Court interference in Knesset function. He believes the judicial branch too often tramples the legislative branch and the current reality is not a healthy one.

Regarding the decision of the three Arab parties to unite and run as a single bloc, Lieberman welcomes this new reality explaining the common denominator between the parties is their hate for Israel. He believes that as a united bloc it is increasingly evident to all who these MKs are.

And finally, regarding election polls that show Lieberman’s Yisrael Beitenu party with 4 or 5 seats, he remains optimistic that following elections his party’s representation in Knesset will be in the double digits.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)