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Last update - 22:57 16/06/2008 Deputy Defense Min.: Residents of southern Israel should stop complaining about Qassams By Haaretz Service Tags: Qassam rockets, Gaza Strip  Deputy Defense Minister Matan Vilnai on Monday criticized the Southern residents' lack of endurance in the face of the ongoing Qassam rocket fire from the Gaza Strip. Speaking before the Knesset plenum, MK Vilnai, a Jerusalem resident, addressed calls for a government no-confidence vote, saying: "In Jerusalem we counted hundreds of victims of suicide bombings on buses. Did we complain we were unable to sleep at night?! Did we complain there was nothing to be done?! Did we say we've been abandoned?!" On Sunday, over 200 residents of the Qassam-stricken western Negev blocked the Sufa and Karni crossings into Gaza for several hours to protest the recent escalation in rocket fire from the Strip. Protesters clashed with police at Sufa crossing, and refused to allow the passage of trucks carrying goods into the Hamas-ruled territory. Advertisement In Nir Am in the western Negev, residents from nearby communities erected a protest tent under which they gather every evening. "There is a sense of despair and helplessness among southern residents," one of the leading demonstrators said. "This place allows residents to connect, talk, and think of ways to bring the Gaza issue to the forefront of the national agenda." Earlier Monday, a Grad-type rocket fired from the Gaza Strip struck an Ashkelon cemetery, leaving one person lightly to moderately wounded, while another rocket exploded inside the city. The victim suffered shrapnel wounds to his neck. Several other people suffered from shock and were treated by emergency medical staff at the scene. Related articles: Israeli hurt as Grad-type rockets hit Ashkelon Sderot protest draws small crowd, community leaders undeterred Barak to demand extra NIS 400m to boost Gaza border communities security IDF activates warning system meant to spot mortars from Gaza Bookmark to del.icio.us   Religious pressure Tel Aviv supermarket chain agrees gradual Shabbat closure. Overgenerous diplomacy UN envoy: Israel has given Syria a 'huge gift' for free.   1.   This is an Asst. Defense Minister ? 22:12  |  Tod Zuckerman 16/06/08   2.   Vilnai should go live in Sderot - enjoy the landforpeace outcome 22:17  |  The Observer 16/06/08   3.   Matan Vilnai you and your cronies have abandoned us. 22:20  |  Abandoned 16/06/08   4.   Odd response 22:31  |  Dave Duncan 16/06/08   5.   Yes, they did complain 22:36  |  Barry Lynn 16/06/08   6.   Vilnai should live in Sderot, and have a bullseye on his home 22:44  |  DesMnsDave 16/06/08   7.   Vilnai - another low life government functionary. As usual... 22:45  |  bat yam 16/06/08   8.   Deputy Defense Minister Matan Vilnai and his specious words.. 22:46  |  Akiva P 16/06/08   9.   What an AH this deputy DM. 22:46  |  Mark Anthony 16/06/08   10.   What an AH this deputy DM. 22:46  |  Mark Anthony 16/06/08   11.   The Negev isnt Israel 22:47  |  SD 16/06/08   12.   What a mindset! 22:50  |  tbart 16/06/08   13.   vilnai deputy DM?or Disaster active Member 22:53  |  daniel mostrel 16/06/08   14.   What a vile fool 23:00  |  BobUSA 16/06/08   15.   This is why I dont move to that shitty little country 23:10  |  Ben 16/06/08   16.   Israel goes into self destruct mode. 23:19  |  common sense 16/06/08   17.   11SDWhy not just give it back to the bedouin and be done with it? 23:22  |  obviously 16/06/08   18.   "Did we complain we were unable to sleep at night?!" No 23:34  |  blind to truth 16/06/08   19.   If he really wanted to do the right thing 23:54  |  Murray the Mongoose 16/06/08   20.   Sderot is entitled to same measures that ended J`lem bombings 23:58  |  Dr. L. Brnd 16/06/08   21.   Vilnai should be promoted to the post of Meir of Shderot 23:59  |  Sal 16/06/08   22.   vote next time for man least likely to be bribed 00:07  |  no secular leftist 17/06/08   23.   10,000 kassams at tots and no. 2 defense minister blames victims 00:09  |  No secular leftist 17/06/08   24.   Vilnai - Dead couldn`t complain, their relatives do 00:10  |  * BEN JABO 17/06/08   25.   DEFENSE Minister? 00:12  |  Marty E. 17/06/08   26.   I kind of think that if Olmert fired any Minister 00:13  |  Isn`treal or Chaos 17/06/08   27.   Fire the deputy defense minister 00:26  |  Ronnbo 17/06/08   28.   Rotten From the Top 00:55  |  Ron 17/06/08   29.   VILNAI THE VILLAIN 01:06  |  Rich 17/06/08   30.   Resients of Southern Israel 01:08  |  Jack 17/06/08   31.   Tod Zuckerman 01:12  |  Jojo 17/06/08   32.   Back then they dealt with it - defensive shield - attacks stopped 02:14  |  Allon 17/06/08   33.   The Difference 02:30  |  Netanel Zahav 17/06/08   34.   A nation in decline 02:41  |  Nathaniel 17/06/08   35.   What a shmcuk of teh highest order! Taxpayers pay that guy?? 03:32  |  JJ 17/06/08   36.   WHAT a fool? Who needs Hamas with him there.? 03:58  |  PETER SM 17/06/08   37.   Vilnai should be fired from his position of adm 04:28  |  Free Gilad Shalit 17/06/08   38.   Move THE FAMILY 04:30  |  TOBIA 17/06/08   39.   THE DEPUTY NEEDS TO GIVE UP HIS RESIDENCE TO ONE LIVING IN NEGEV 04:47  |  glenna 17/06/08   40.   Can you imagine the Deputy Defense Minister of any other western 04:52  |  Chaim 17/06/08   41.   #33 weeping shalit 04:54  |  jjvanka 17/06/08   42.   residents of the negev 05:11  |  real vision 17/06/08   43.   May G-d forgive you, because noone on earth will 05:46  |  Eugenio 17/06/08   44.   Mr. Vilnai ... 06:26  |  John 17/06/08   45.   Vilnai, resign you piece of garbage! 06:58  |  Avraham 17/06/08   46.   Vilnai`s logic 07:26  |  howiej 17/06/08   47.   LET THEM EAT CAKE!!!!!!! 07:45  |  Ben Uziel 17/06/08   48.   Stop complaining about the Qassams...... 08:23  |  Millicent 17/06/08   49.   Stop the sufferings of Sderot. 08:41  |  Jean Van Daem 17/06/08   50.   Under the rockets in Sderot. 08:43  |  Jean Van Daem 17/06/08   51.   What are we going to do about it? 09:23  |  Rose 17/06/08   52.   There are evil people who blamed the holocaust victims too 09:26  |  Rose 17/06/08   53.   ISRAEL FURNISH SDEROT W/ THEIR OWN ROCKETS. 14:00  |  petra 17/06/08   54.   WHAT A SCHMUCK. 14:01  |  petra 17/06/08   55.   This is an Asst. Defense Minister ? 21:21  |  Simon Rabinovich 17/06/08   56.   You guys down south voted left so here`s your answer 01:20  |  Nate 18/06/08   57.   Residents should act 03:24  |  Brod 18/06/08   58.   THIS IS WHAT POLITICS DO TO 09:51  |  Robert 18/06/08   59.   Broken social contract between state and citizens 10:05  |  Zur Ben Namer 18/06/08

Read & React Israel okays Gaza truce, will take effect Thursday Responses: 70 M. Arens: Olmert dead wrong for saying next U.S. President won't be as friendly as Bush Responses: 12 Syrian official: Peace with Israel will create harmonious Mideast Responses: 22 Editorial: Law to ban Arab MKs from visiting enemy states is an insulting PR ploy Responses: 6 Uzi Benziman: Despite high price, Hezbollah deal for kidnapped troops is a necessity Responses: 2 Rosner's Domain Guests: Weak relationship between later marriage and intermarriage To Republicans Iran's a threat, to Democrats not so much (WTR) Dovish Jewish lobby endorses seven candidates Poll: Cease fire in Gaza is an achievement for... Obama, McCain aides agree: Israel, U.S. must discuss strike on Iran More Headlines 10:22 Israel okays Gaza truce, will take effect Thursday 08:02 Meshal: Any Israeli violation of deal would not go unanswered 07:23 ANALYSIS / Cease-fire deal means Hamas is in charge 07:57 U.S. pushes for Israel-Lebanon peace talks, deal on Shaba 08:42 Syrian official: Peace with Israel will create harmonious Mideast 08:48 Civil Administration officials indicted in West Bank land steal 07:16 Holocaust survivors from former USSR denied reparations 07:18 ElBaradei: Syria lacks skills, fuel for nuclear facility 07:20 Czech leader pledges to advance EU-Israel relations 05:23 New detection tool pinpoints virus behind cervical cancer 06:16