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Defense Minister Ehud Barak. (Dan Keinan) Last update - 21:37 21/01/2008 Barak calls for more pressure on Gaza Strip to stop rocket attacks By The Associated Press Tags: Palestinians, Ehud Barak  Israel must increase pressure on the Gaza Strip to stop rocket attacks, Defense Minister Ehud Barak said Monday, hours after he approved a one-time easing of a blockade that led to a blackout in Gaza City. Addressing the annual Herzliya Conference on security, Barak gave a hardline speech, saying Israel would continue to hit Gaza in order to bring calm to battered southern Israel towns that have been targeted by rockets fired by militants. "I care more about our quiet than their quiet," he said. Advertisement Barak said Israel makes efforts not to harm civilians while going after militants in Gaza. "Many terrorists are alive and breathing only because we try not to hit civilians," he said. Barak described the Middle East as a threatening region, noting that Israel and the West must deal with Iran's nuclear program as well as violent groups like Hamas and Hezbollah. "We are not alone in this battle, but we are in the front line," he said. Barak pledged to work with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert toward peace, while hinting that he might take his Labor Party out of the government at some point. He has said in the past that he will decide whether to take Labor out of the coalition after the Winograd Commission of inquiry into the management of the Second Lebanon War is released on January 30. "I assume everyone is waiting for me to respond regarding the Winograd report. The only thing I'll say is that I'll look at the report when it's released, and I'll consider and decide what is right and good for Israel, and that's how I'll act." "Between myself and the prime minister is a personal and deep appreciation and friendship of many years. I know how to appreciate the difficulties he stands against. As long as we work together, I will help him for the sake of Israel," he continued. Barak also said Israel would work to honor its pledge to make efforts to complete a peace treaty with the Palestinians this year. "I don't know if a solution can be found in 2008," he said, "but I do know that if it is not achieved in 2008, it will not be because of us." Both Israel's hawks and doves have had to abandon their extreme beliefs in recent years, Barak said. "The right realizes it cannot hold on to all the territory it wants, and the left admits there will be no utopian New Middle East," he said. "Israel cannot be defeated militarily and it cannot be worn down with terrorism," Barak said. "Peace agreements will be achieved when the other side understands that Israel wants a proper peace, but is prepared to kill to protect its vital interests." Related articles: Barak: Gaza to get one-time fuel, medicine delivery Ministers to inquiry: Olmert to blame for late Lebanon war push Security official urges U.S. to try to influence Iran public opinion Bookmark to del.icio.us   Dear Mr. Olmert An American yeshiva student asks Olmert to heed secular Israelis on J'lem's fate. Work stoppage Olmert totally freezes new building in all West Bank settlements.   1.   barak! why don`t you let observers watch isr`s 21:29  |  bozhidar balkas 21/01/08   2.   Go Barack Go,put more pressure on terror 22:32  |  TOMY 21/01/08   3.   Its still not the way to fight terrorists. 22:53  |  Stephen. 21/01/08   4.   Collective Punishment 23:03  |  Arthur Seyss-Inquart 21/01/08   5.   dated till gaza strips 23:07  |  All the way 21/01/08   6.   time for elections and the demise of kadima and labor 23:31  |  v hardman 21/01/08   7.   Stephen 23:34  |  Edifice 21/01/08   8.   To #3 23:34  |  Boris 21/01/08   9.   Gaza pressure 23:39  |  marcel 21/01/08   10.   Hail Imperator! 23:54  |  Jim 21/01/08   11.   #3 Stephen asks: 00:07  |  Jim 22/01/08   12.   #1 bozhidar balkas - 00:10  |  * BEN JABO 22/01/08   13.   Stephen from Geneva, not quite as simple as that 00:31  |  Sam 22/01/08   14.   About a peace treaty, Barak says: 00:40  |  Jim 22/01/08   15.   I have never been so unimpressed by Barak 01:02  |  Avi 22/01/08   16.   #3 is wrong 01:03  |  Gili 22/01/08   17.   Stephen the way to fight them is.. 01:13  |  Avram 22/01/08   18.   Stephen of Europe 01:35  |  Sam 22/01/08   19.   Has the "pressure" worked? 01:36  |  Mark Lincoln 22/01/08   20.   Arabs created this "society" 01:42  |  peter 22/01/08   21.   3 01:54  |  jw 22/01/08   22.   Barak 02:04  |  Sam 22/01/08   23.   War Crimes 02:06  |  emad matahin 22/01/08   24.   #3 Stephen - It is their choice to make violence 02:21  |  David 22/01/08   25.   Barak is directly responsible for the ongoing attacks 02:24  |  David 22/01/08   26.   This guy is a certified war criminal who boasted to the israeli 02:28  |  lakshmi 22/01/08   27.   The only solution is an appropriate response! 02:29  |  David 22/01/08   28.   # 5. Avram. A solid idea. Why has it not been implemented. 02:30  |  Stephen. 22/01/08   29.   Meanwhile the Palestinians launch 9 more rockets today! 02:48  |  Avi 22/01/08   30.   #8 emad matahin 02:55  |  * BEN JABO 22/01/08   31.   Hamas are the ones responsible, not Israel 03:03  |  Joey 22/01/08   32.   #8 Sam`s misleading statement 03:15  |  Johnboy 22/01/08   33.   Leverage 03:42  |  jjvanka 22/01/08   34.   Call it what you want Johnboy 04:01  |  Sam 22/01/08   35.   #8 Sam of Canada 04:12  |  Jim 22/01/08   36.   What part of STOP YOUR ROCKETS don`t you understand? 04:41  |  Dan 22/01/08   37.   While Israel is soft hearted to relieve "humanitarian crisis" 05:12  |  Genuine Tosefta 22/01/08   38.   Hit more terrorists, stop trying so hard to avoid "civilians" 05:33  |  Dr. L. Brnd 22/01/08   39.   #28 Sam persists with the notion 06:04  |  Johnboy 22/01/08   40.   Jim- You are mistaken 06:19  |  Sam 22/01/08   41.   What part of STOP KILLING PEOPLE don`t you understand 06:32  |  Mae 22/01/08   42.   What is Barack`s PROPER PEACE 06:34  |  CURIOUS 22/01/08   43.   Johnboy-It means the Jews call the shots in their country 11:06  |  Sam 22/01/08   44.   #43 Sam, not a deep thinker at all, are you? 01:14  |  Johnboy 23/01/08   45.   Barak`s friendship to Olmert 10:17  |  S 23/01/08   46.   Rocket attacks 16:01  |  Bruce 23/01/08   47.   #41 2nd TRY Mae - what part of NOT firing rockets eludes U 22:33  |  * BEN JABO 24/01/08

Today Online High Court of Justice to hold urgent hearing on Gaza blockade Responses: 343 Gaza source: Hamas planned border wall blast for months Responses: 166 Canada to skip UN racism meet due to 'anti-Semitism' Responses: 182 PM completely freezes new construction in W. Bank settlements Responses: 64 Rami Livni: Bi-national state would only perpetuate suffering Responses: 46 Rosner's Domain McCain's letter on Gaza: Israel has the right to defend itself (WTR) Who's better for Israel, Clinton or McCain? New poll: How important is Israel in the 2008 election? Domain's Guest: "all Jews are responsible for one another" Actor Jon Voight: Every Jew must vote for Giuliani (WTR) More Headlines 22:15 Dichter tells police to ratchet up security on Israel-Egypt border 22:45 Olmert, Abbas set to meet in Jerusalem, discuss Gaza crisis Sunday 18:51 PM completely freezes new construction in W. Bank settlements 20:32 Livni: Sanctions can bring an end to Iranian nuclear program 19:35 Yad Vashem launches Arabic Web site to combat Holocaust denial 22:32 Israeli mission in N.Y. displays 4,200 balloons for each Qassam 20:50 Olmert: I didn't tell Vice Premier Ramon to praise my decisions 16:46 Arab League chief: Israeli policy is destroying peace process 18:28 Gaza overlooked by U.S. voters; economy dominates race 15:41 Egypt rejects idea of Israel waiving responsibility for Gaza Previous Editions Select Day 23 jan 22 jan 21 jan 20 jan 18 jan 17 jan 16 jan 15 jan 14 jan 13 jan 11 jan 10 jan

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