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Security officials meet as Israel weighs response to rising violence
Following yesterday’s dual stabbings, which follow a series of deadly attacks in Jerusalem during a period of serious unrest, Israel’s leading security officials convened last night.
Meeting at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s residence in Jerusalem, Defence Minister Moshe Ya’alon, IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz, Shin Bet chief Yoram Cohen, Public Security Minister Yitzhak Aharonovich, Police Commissioner Yohanan Danino and Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein discussed how best to combat the violence. Netanyahu is reported to have recommended an increased presence of security forces and the destruction of terrorist homes.
Speaking to his Likud faction, Netanyahu said, “The terrorists and those who incite to it want to get rid of us wherever we are. As far as they’re concerned, we don’t need to be in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem or anywhere else.” Jewish Home’s Housing Minister Uri Ariel called for a tougher response, saying, “I demand that the Prime Minister release the handcuffed hands of security forces.”
Netanyahu was also criticised from another direction. Yesh Atid’s Science and Technology Minister Ya’akov Perry told Ynet, “There will only be zero attacks in this country if we truly promote a political horizon.” Speaking at a conference in Jordan, Perry called for a regional gathering alongside moderate Arab states.
Meanwhile, President Reuven Rivlin urged national unity, commenting,“These are difficult days. They demand of us unity and strength in the face of the perpetrators of terror… I call on all elected officials, all our leaders, from all across the political spectrum, to stand united before the State of Israel.”
There is also plenty of commentary on the situation in this morning’s daily newspapers. In Yediot Ahronot, Alex Fishman warns of an increasingly insecure atmosphere, similar to that of the Second Intifada and decries inadequate national leadership. His comments are echoed by Ben Caspit in Maariv, who more specifically warns that we are beginning to “near a critical mass” which wants to see an end to Netanyahu’s government.