I do not think that in this situation we can transfer the towns to the Palestinians. They are not exerting any control.

We are tightening the screw . . . by creating these areas, in the hope that they (the Palestinians) will get the message and that this will stop the rocket squads. If we must, we will have to tighten the screw further.

Those who think that after the withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, there will be withdrawal number two or number three are mistaken about this government.

While on one hand we are carrying a disengagement (from the Gaza Strip), we have to strengthen our hold on (West Bank) settlement blocs,

We have old scores to settle with this murderer.

We've got no alternative but to transfer funds from defense to other priorities like welfare and education.