Defense Minister Ehud Barak on Monday morning met with German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, whose country is playing a major role as an intermediary between Israel and Hizbullah.

Later in the morning, Barak met with the Knesset Foreign Affairs & Defense Committee to brief them on current defense and security matters.

Regarding the growing Iranian nuclear threat, Barak stated Israel may be compelled to act as Iran continues pushing towards nuclear independence.

Turning to events in Lebanon vis-à-vis Hizbullah, the defense minister stated the recent weeks have indeed been a “Hizbullah achievement.”

Relating to ongoing rocket attacks from Hamas-controlled Gaza, Barak stated at least 70 terrorists were eliminated in the past two months and 300 were eliminated during the past half year. He added that Hamas is under great stress.

Interestingly, committee member Effie Eitam (National Union), a retired IDF brigadier-general called on Barak to resign, explaining in his recent ultimatum to Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, the defense minister stated Olmert is unable to address his complicated legal matters while running the state. Therefore explained Eitam, by default all defense matters rest on Barak’s shoulders and with a non-functioning prime minister, security issues are being ignored, compelling Barak to “return the mandate to the people.”

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)