Cabinet Minister Eli Cohen Signals Hard Line on Lebanon, Gaza and Erdogan

Cabinet minister Eli Cohen said on Radio Kol Berama that Israel is not focused on passing the detention bill and a Basic Law on Torah study, noting that even if the Knesset serves its full term there would be only three weeks left for legislation. He said he would not predict the outcome and preferred to speak only about what he knows.

On Lebanon, Cohen said that if the Americans ask Israel to withdraw from southern Lebanon, Israel should tell them “don’t.” He added that no country has any reason to ask Israel to make such a move. Cohen also said Israel has “red lines” over any fire toward northern communities and would respond “everywhere in Lebanon, including the Dahieh.”

Cohen also addressed Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, calling him “ungrateful” and saying Israel sent aid teams after the earthquake in Turkey. He said Erdogan attacks Israel whenever he wants to distract from his own failures, adding, “We are not alarmed. Anyone who acts against the State of Israel does not die a natural death.”

On Gaza, Cohen said that unlike Lebanon, where Israel does not intend to control territory, in the Gaza Strip Israel will control 100 percent of the area. He said this would happen “in the coming months.”