Vilnai: Israel has strategic reason not to use Iron Dome

"The enemy is listening," Homeland Security Minister explains, adding state invested NIS 1b. in protecting towns near Gaza.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Vilnai 311 (photo credit: (Marc Israel Sellem/The Jerusalem Post))
Vilnai 311
(photo credit: (Marc Israel Sellem/The Jerusalem Post))
Homeland Security Minister Matan Vilnai responded on Thursday to calls for Israel to use the Iron Dome defense system.
In an interview with Israel Radio, Vilnai said Israel has "strategic reasons not to use the Iron Dome," which was recently declared operational by the IAF and would defend Israel from short-range rockets.
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"The enemy is listening, and there is no reason to explain," Vilnai added.
He explained that the Iron Dome will defend citizens as well as the IDF, and will be used "at the right time."
Vilnai added that the state invested over NIS 1b. in reinforcing buildings near Gaza and said that Israel will not allow its citizens to live under threat of rocket attacks.
Overnight Wednesday, IDF aircraft struck targets in the Gaza Strip, a day after Palestinians fired about a dozen rockets and mortars across the border, striking deep into Israel's south.