Politicians sound off on Kerry's latest cease-fire proposal ahead of cabinet meeting on matter

Leaders on the Right call for ministers to vote against newest push for peace with Hamas, saying that "we must not give in to terror."

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Ze'ev Elkin 370 (photo credit: Marc Israel Sellem/The Jerusalem Post)
Ze'ev Elkin 370
(photo credit: Marc Israel Sellem/The Jerusalem Post)
Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee Chairman Ze'ev Elkin (Likud) said on Friday that he is adamantly against US Secretary of State John Kerry's latest cease-fire proposal.
The security cabinet was set to meet on Friday afternoon to discuss Kerry's latest push, which would start with a seven day cease-fire that begins on Sunday. IDF troops would remain in Gaza for the time being and the two sides would engage in dialogue.
"I call on the prime minister, the defense minister and all of the MKs not to agree to the cease-fire based on the current conditions. A cease-fire without the army finishing their job of destroying the threat of the tunnels, without Hamas being hit hard like they should be, a cease-fire in which they are promised economic benefits, a cease-fire like that will endless trouble. We are not allowed to show weakness to terror and to give into blackmail," Elkin said in a statement.
"Whoever gives into blackmail and terrorism only invites more blackmail and more terror," he added.
On the opposite end of the political spectrum, Meretz leader Zehava Gal-On also spoke out on Friday. She said she supports the cease-fire push and hopes that Netanyahu will sign onto Kerry's proposal.
She said that the deaths of the 33 IDF soldiers, 3 civilians and the hundreds of injured during the 18 day operation prove even further the need to end the violence.
She also warned of growing tension in the West Bank.
"The cabinet also needs to take into account the possibility of escalation in the West Bank, which could lead to the outbreak of a third intifada. The cease-fire initiative of Kerry receives backing from international bodies, and is the first step the cabinet should adopt."
Gal-On said that the second step would be continuing peace-talks with Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas.