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Last update - 02:17 31/12/2008
Mayor of rocket-battered Netivot calls for talks with Hamas
By Amir Zohar, Haaretz Correspondent
Tags: Gaza, Israel NEws, Israel 

One of Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu's most important supporters in the Negev, longtime Netivot Mayor Yehiel Zohar, is calling on Israel to negotiate with Hamas.

"The fact that we have so far not held talks with Hamas is a mistake," Zohar told Knesset members and cabinet ministers who visited Netivot on Monday, two days after city resident Bebert Vaknin was killed in a rocket attack there, the day the Israel Defense Forces assault on Hamas in the Gaza Strip began.

"In order to achieve the calm we are hoping for, we will have to speak to Hamas this time around, too," said Zohar, a Likud Central Committee member. "It's too bad they didn't aspire enough to an agreement, because ultimately we'll be talking only with Hamas."
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Netanyahu said on Tuesday that the purpose of the IDF operation was to remove Hamas from power. "There is a goal and the goal is to remove this Iranian-sponsored Hamas terrorist base, which is right now hitting the suburbs of Tel Aviv," he told Reuters in an interview. "Ultimately we have no other choice."

Zohar, meanwhile, said he was not interested in expensive defenses to protect his city's residents from rocket or mortar fire, calling most Qassam casualties people "who don't follow instructions."

"The defense expenses are excessive," he said. Referring to the Iron Dome rocket-protection system, which is in development, he added: "We're not looking to defend ourselves with Iron Domes or futuristic technologies. We don't want to invest a fortune in excessive defense. Most of the Qassams hit curious people who wander around outside and don't follow instructions
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Iranian Jews protest
Members of Tehran's small Jewish community demonstrate against IDF operation in Gaza.
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Watch Israel's attack on Gaza from the perspective of the missile.
  1.   is he wrong. making it worse and harder next time 04:50  |  ralph 31/12/08
  2.   Resign 10:39  |  Harry Katzen 31/12/08
  3.   Mayor Yohar - a real leader, not a talking head! 14:02  |  Manny Goldstein 31/12/08
  4.   The word HAMAS will soon be obsolete 14:21  |  Miriam Smith 31/12/08
  5.   terror 16:25  |  Juri Vlasov 31/12/08
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More Headlines
15:25 Israel decides to push on with Gaza op until 'all goals reached'
15:06 Air strikes in Gaza continue as IDF readies for ground push
16:43 More than 50 rockets strike Negev, including Ashkelon and Be'er Sheva
13:27 Get up to the minute coverage of the warfare in Gaza directly to your email
13:24 Shin Bet: Hamas has been hit under IAF's Gaza offensive like never before
12:05 ANALYSIS / Rivalry among Israel's leaders at root of row on Gaza cease-fire
13:24 GIDEON LEVY / The IAF, bullies of the clear blue skies
16:40 WATCH: IDF launches YouTube channel showing Gaza assault
10:29 ANALYSIS / After sterling start to Gaza op, Barak proves to be a petty politician
14:18 Protests abound at T.A. and Haifa Universities; Be'er Sheva students flee Gaza rockets in droves
13:38 As rockets fall, Peres tours Ashkelon and vows IDF is ready for anything
16:29 Arab leaders blame Israel's Gaza offensive on Palestinian dischord
16:35 JEWISH WORLD / Pro-Israel camp would be wise to heed Muslim cries for peace
03:57 Hundreds across U.S. protest Gaza operation
09:26 ANALYSIS / Hamas racks up its first diplomatic victory in Gaza campaign
14:21 Fatah loyalists: Gaza op is 'Allah's revenge' for Hamas actions
06:36 Eichmann trial transcripts now available on Justice Ministry Web site
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