"The security of the residents of the South is more important than cultural events or festivals," Erdan said.
By AMY SPIROPublic Security Minister Gilad Erdan(photo credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM/THE JERUSALEM POST)
Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan said Sunday that the upcoming Eurovision song contest should not affect the intensity of the IDF response to Gaza rockets.“It is my belief that upcoming national and cultural events should not be a consideration in the intensity of scope of the blow that the enemy should absorb,” Erdan said, speaking at a pre-Independence Day ceremony at police headquarters in Jerusalem. “Not important Independence Day events and certainly not the Eurovision.”Erdan said the IDF must continue to strike Hamas until long-term quiet can be achieved.“The security of the residents of the South is more important than cultural events or festivals,” he added. “We must preserve the cohesion of the residents of Israel.”But Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz admitted Sunday that concerns over the Eurovision could play a role in the government’s decision making process.“Of course we need to take everything into consideration,” Steinitz told KAN’s Reshet Bet radio Sunday morning. “But it’s not the central consideration – not the Eurovision and not Independence Day – if we need to fight then we’ll fight also on Remembrance Day and on Independence Day.”
