Hamas threat to renew rocket fire amounts to 'extortion,' Liberman tells Kerry

Liberman tells his American counterpart that Israel is prepared for all possibilities.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Kerry meets with Liberman in France June 26, 2014. (photo credit: EREZ LICHTFELD)
Kerry meets with Liberman in France June 26, 2014.
(photo credit: EREZ LICHTFELD)
Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman told US Secretary of State John Kerry on Thursday that the threat by the factions in Gaza to resume rocket fire at Israel and refuse to extend the cease-fire amounts to “extortion.”
Liberman told his American counterpart that Israel is prepared for all possibilities. The foreign minister also thanked Kerry for Washington’s “unflinching support” for Israel during Wednesday’s UN session.
The foreign minister also told Kerry that Israel has no wish to see a further deterioration in ties with Turkey.
“The government has shown restraint in the face of provocations and harsh statements by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan against Israel,” Liberman told Kerry. “We hope that until Sunday’s presidential elections in Turkey, the series of attacks will cease. If this doesn't happen, Israel will respond.”
Liberman responded Wednesday night to the UN condemning Israeli attacks on UNRWA facilities as “outrageous, unacceptable, and unjustifiable.”
UN officials should ensure their facilities are not being used to store weapons and launch rocket attacks, the foreign minister said, adding that institutions such as the UN Human Rights Council must not become a platform to embolden and encourage terrorism.
Had the UN been fulfilling its duties, in accordance with the principles on which it was founded, the organization would form an international force to rid Gaza of Hamas's terror regime rather than wait for Israel to do it.