Yesh Atid chairman MK Yair Lapid on Saturday night blamed Palestinian Authority (PA) chairman Mahmoud Abbas for the stabbing attack in Jerusalem's Old City in which two people were murdered.
In a statement, Lapid also said that the Israeli government has failed to ensure the security of Israeli citizens and must take action in that regard.
“I wish to send my condolences to the families. This is a serious incident which took place in the heart of Jerusalem and which is a direct result of the incitement that lead by Abbas,” said Lapid.
“We must deal harshly with these heinous terrorists. We must now strengthen our security forces and our soldiers who are acting decisively on the ground against murderous terrorists and give them support,” he continued.
Lapid added, "The ongoing situation, in which an attack follows an attack and civilians are unable to return home safely, must stop. This government has failed to provide security for the citizens of the State of Israel: It failed to provide security for the residents of Judea and Samaria, it failed to provide security for the residents of Jerusalem, it failed to provide security for the residents of the Gaza Belt. This is a government which is busy with internal conflicts instead of providing security to citizens. It must restore the security to the citizens of Israel.”
Rabbi Nehemia Lavi, 41, and Aharon Banita Bennett, 21, were named as the victims of Saturday’s terrorist attack.
The Islamic Jihad terrorist group in Gaza took credit for the murder, which was conducted by 19-year-old terrorist Mohannad Shafik Halabi.