In a statement Wednesday evening at the Kirya in Tel Aviv, Minister Benny Gantz addressed the burning issues on the agenda against the background of the war, the abductees and their families, the issue of politics the day after the war and the budget storm.
Gantz: "There will be no point in Gaza that will be a city of refuge for terrorists"
At the beginning of his speech, he sought to address the families of the abductees, strengthen and encourage them: "Not a single eye has remained dry at the sight of those returning home in recent days, but this evening I would like to address the families of the abductees who have not yet returned. For those who still do not know what happened to their loved ones. Your burden, the families of the abductees, is enormous and inexplicable. And precisely in the face of this heavy burden, it is impossible not to be amazed by your strengths, by the sincere joy for those who have been reunited with their loved ones. From the backing you give the state, the leadership and the army, to continue to act so that we change reality, so that we return your loved ones, and so that we return all residents of the south and north to their homes safely."
"We all strengthen and embrace you. The intensity of your pain and the burden of responsibility for the fate of your loved ones is before my eyes every minute, day and night. Another thing that strengthens us in this mission is the legacy of the fallen that we hear from so many families. Mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, comrades-in-arms, and spouses who tell us – finish the task. For them and for us. What strengths we have in the people of Israel. It's incomprehensible."
He referred to the ceasefire and the expectation of a return to fighting at its end: "We are in complex moments, and in a window of time within the framework of the outline for the return of our abductees. We will work to make the most of it. At the same time, we are prepared and ready to return to fighting, at any given moment, including these moments. The State of Israel is waging a complex, multi-front campaign with an enormous responsibility of preserving, fortifying and strengthening the Zionist project. They came upon us to destroy us, and still want to do so. We have no choice. We have to keep fighting."
"We are not seeking revenge but securing our future, we will not stop until we bring security and remove the threat to our citizens in the south and north.
The fighting will continue, and will expand to wherever necessary throughout the Gaza Strip. There will be no cities of refuge. Until the residents of Bari and Sderot, Shlomi and Matula, can safely return to the land that is part of them and us. Until boys and girls return to their borders."
On the subject of the budget, Gantz said: "I would also like to refer to the update to the 2023 budget passed by the government, which contains essential components for the continuation of the fighting, but unfortunately also additions and budget allocations that do not relate to the fighting and its derivatives. Therefore, all the ministers of the state camp voted against him. When hundreds of thousands are recruited, over a hundred thousand citizens have left their homes, and the entire economy has been harmed – we must all mobilize. Additional budgets based on political agreements unrelated to the war are a stain on the government."
He continued: "I am aware of voices who think we should leave the government because of this. But we are in the most important war since the establishment of the state. I don't know if some of the decisions that my friends and I had a decisive influence on will ever be revealed. I know that our joining is essential, and I certainly know how important the message conveyed by joining Israeli society and the soldiers on the frontlines, vis-à-vis our enemies, and the legitimacy and understanding of the magnitude of the hour among the international community."
He sought to emphasize his commitment to Israel without political interest: "As I have said in the past, we entered the emergency government not out of political partnership but out of shared destiny. Even if there are those inside and outside the government who are engaged in politics or campaigning for the day after, this will not divert my friends and me from the obligation to act on behalf of the people of Israel and all citizens of Israel. Even when the shoulder hurts and it becomes difficult on the journey, I will not put down the stretcher and abandon the soldiers, the abductees, the residents of the south and north, the international campaign and the interests of the State of Israel. Because now we have to, we just have to – win. Together, and with God's help, we will do it."
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