Israeli Defense Minister: We Will Not Change Rules Of Engagement For Rioting Gazans

Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman stressed that the army will not alter its policy of using live-fire against Palestinians rioting along the Gaza Strip border and rejected criticism that the IDF acted disproportionately during last Friday’s mass demonstration. “We have set clear rules of the game and we do not intend to change them,” the defense chief affirmed. “Anyone who approaches the fence endangers his life and I would recommend that Gaza residents put their efforts not into protesting against Israel, but into regime change within the Strip.” Jerusalem has come under fire for its response to the so-called “March of Return,” which quickly devolved into violent confrontations that left at least sixteen Palestinians dead (10 of whom the IDF claims belonged to terrorist groups). Over 30,000 people converged on the border in what many analysts view as a cynical manipulation by Hamas of Gaza’s civilian population aimed at provoking a military response which, in turn, generated a diplomatic backlash against Israel. The affair was the first in a series of planned events along the frontier over the next six weeks, culminating with the May 15 commemoration by Palestinians of the “catastrophe” of Israel’s creation on so-called Naqba Day.