PM overrules Peretz's call for response to Qassams
Defense minister asks cabinet to approve plan to respond to Qassam attacks; Dichter backs Peretz saying Israel has right to self-defense
Disagreements between Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Defense Minister Amir Peretz over Israel's restraint in the face of Palestinian violations of a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip developed into a confrontation during a Cabinet meeting in Jerusalem on Sunday.
Peretz and security officials, including Internal Security Minister Avi Dichter, said Israel should respond to Qassam fire.
Olmert and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said Israel should show restraint.
In the end, the discussion ended without a decision. The meaning: Restraint to continue.
"We need to allow an authorized official in the IDF to order fire at terrorists who are behind terror attacks and Qassam fire," Dichter said.
Olmert believes continued Israeli restraint in the face of Qassam attacks would tip the diplomatic balance in favor of Israel ahead of trips to Rome and Berlin for talks with Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
'We need to weigh our steps responsibly'
Minister Yitzhak Cohen said: "When it serves us we will attack and when it doesn't we won't."
Security officials criticized the cabinet's decision to back Olmert's stance in favor of IDF plans to fire at gunmen who launch rockets at Israel.
"If the IDF's surveillance equipments identify a cell firing Qassam rockets, shouldn't they fire? This can cost lives," officials said.
Peretz said Israel showed restraint to ceasefire violations to give the Palestinian Authority a chance to control gunmen responsible for the firing and to boost moderate elements among the Palestinians.
Olmert responded saying Israeli should show restraint: "We need to weigh our steps responsibly," he said.
Later on Sunday Livni said during a meeting with with EU High Commissioner for Common Foreign and Security Policy Chief Javier Solana that while it is important to note that the ceasefire is being continuously breached it is equally important to be responsible and make the right decisions for the future.
