'Send the Foreign Legion to Gaza and Israel will lift its blockade'

Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman reportedly tells French counterpart that Israel would leave Gaza if foreign force prevented terrorist activity in Hamas-run territory • Lieberman reportedly raised the idea with French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe.

Israel Hayom Staff and News Agencies

Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman requests French Foreign Legion.
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Photo credit: AP

Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman on Monday told the Knesset that Israel would be happy to lift the blockade on the Gaza Strip if the French Foreign Legion agreed to maintain order in the Hamas-run territory, according to a report by French news agency AFP.

"I have no problem in lifting the blockade tomorrow as long as there is a force to inspect everything coming into the Gaza Strip and [prevent] terrorist activity," Lieberman was quoted telling MKs on Monday. "Instead of us doing it ourselves, you [can] send the French Foreign Legion."

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Established in 1831 as a way for France to maintain dominion over its colonies using foreign adventurers, the French Foreign Legion comprises around 7,500 soldiers from more than 130 countries. Regiments from the legion are currently deployed in Afghanistan.

Lieberman said he had introduced the idea during talks with French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe in June.

The outspoken Lieberman, known for his often blunt remarks about Israel's foreign policy and international relations, has threatened to cut ties with the Palestinian Authority over its attempts to seek unilateral recognition of statehood at the U.N..

On Monday, Lieberman was quoted as saying the argument that Jordan was "Palestine" contradicted Israel's interests and was not based on reality. Speaking at a Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee meeting on Monday, Lieberman criticized those who argued that Jordan was the true Palestinian state, saying such claims contradicted international law and the tenets of the Israel-Jordan peace treaty, according to Israel Radio.

Commenting on the acceptance of "Palestine" into UNESCO -- the U.N. Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization -- last month, Lieberman said this was a Pyrrhic victory for the Palestinian Authority.

I would never turn the security of Israel ever.

However I do favor the formation of an Israeli Foreign Legion.

Non Israeli, non Jewish troops under the command of Israeli officers.

We could use these troops when suffering Israeli losses would cause political problems for a government . No problem send in the IFL.