After al-Mabhouh death, minister says: Kill or be killed
Ministers avoid directly commenting on assassination of Hamas military commander Mahmoud al-Mabhouh in Dubai, but when questioned on matter praise Mossad chief, security forces
National Infrastructure Minister Uzi Landau, who has been accused by Hamas of being involved in the assassination of senior organization member Mahmoud al-Mabhouh, said, "This is not just a case of developed oriental imagination, but a case of wild imagination, which followed the fact that an Israeli flag was raised in Dubai."
Commenting on the matter for the first time since the claims were made, Landau said at the weekly cabinet meeting, "My entourage traveled to an international conference on the environment, and nothing more," he explained.
However, in response to a question on Mossad chief Meir Dagan's capabilities, he said, "I've known him since before he entered the post and before I became a minister. He was always one of the best."
Other ministers also avoided directly commenting on the alleged assassination, but praised Dagan and the defense establishment.
When asked about the incident Interior Minister Eli Yishai said, "All the security forces as one, thank heavens, invest much effort for the sake of maintaining the State of Israel's security."
Science and Technology Minister Daniel Hershkowitz added: "Meir Dagan is one of the most outstanding Mossad chiefs of all time, above and beyond the norm, there is no doubt that he operates in an exceptional manner.
"My personal impression is that the Mossad knows how to operate and it is well known that anyone that raises a hand to the Jews, is risking their own life, and God Almighty has many ways of his own to pay them."
Minister for Minority Affairs Avishay Braverman said in response to a question on the Dubai assassination: "Israel should, on the one hand, act according to the rule: 'Kill or be killed', and on the other hand, should work to achieve peace according to two states for two peoples."
None of the ministers would directly comment on the killing and only provided indirect responses.
