Minister Gideon Ezra's deadline and threats of response to Qassams were
"metaphors"
Dr. Aaron Lerner Date: 21 December, 2006

Speaking in a live interview broadcast on Israel Radio's noon news program
on 4 December, 2006 Environment Minister Gideon Ezra (Kadima) Minister Ezra
noted that he supports the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and that he had, in
fact, proposed a unilateral 10 day ceasefire himself.

Ezra recommended that if the ceasefire fails that Israel should shut off the
supply of water and electricity to the Gaza Strip.

Today IMRA asked Ezra's spokesman, Ofer Kol, if Minister Ezra recommends
that the supply of water and electricity to the Gaza Strip be immediately
shut off since considerably more than 10 days have passed since the
ceasefire was declared and Qassams continue to be fired at Israel from the
Gaza Strip.

Kol said that Ezra's position is that the IDF should now study what actions
should be taken to stop the Qassams.

Kol explained that when Ezra called for shutting off the water and
electricity that this was a "metaphor" for action - not a specific
recommendation.

Kol went on to explain that when Ezra said that the Palestinians should be
given ten days to enforce the ceasefire that the number 10 was a "metaphor"
and could actually mean 10, 15, 20 or some other number of days.

Dr. Aaron Lerner, Director IMRA (Independent Media Review & Analysis)
(Mail POB 982 Kfar Sava)
Tel 972-9-7604719/Fax 972-3-7255730
INTERNET ADDRESS: imra@netvision.net.il
Website: http://www.imra.org.il