Gilad Erdan in the Shevach family's home
Gilad Erdan in the Shevach family's homeSamaria spokesperson

Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan (Likud) on Monday paid a condolence visit to the family of slain Rabbi Raziel Shevach, 35, who was murdered by Palestinian Authority Arab terrorists while driving near Havat Gilad in Samaria.

Erdan said that in his opinion, legalizing Havat Gilad is crucial, but should have been done before Rabbi Shevach's murder, not afterwards.

"I apologize for the fact that the understanding of what needs to be done, and how we need to strengthen the amazing town of Havat Gilad and its residents, is something we think about only when difficult events occur," Erdan said.

"Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman (Yisrael Beytenu) stated that we need to legalize Havat Gilad and turn it into a proper town. There is no stronger message to the murderers and the Palestinian Authority, which in my eyes is a partner in this murder, because it pays salaries to the terrorists and their families. Many more people will come to live here, and strengthen our hold on our land."

Erdan called on the government to approve on Sunday the legalization of Havat Gilad.

"Every minister needs to obligate himself to support the Defense Minister's initiative, and insist the proposal be approved. We need to approve Havat Gilad so that it becomes like any other town in Israel. It doesn't need just electricity and running water, it needs more construction, more residents, an this is the strongest message we can send to the lowly murderers."

After visiting the Shevach family, Erdan held a meeting with Samaria Regional Council Head Yossi Dagan, agreeing to work with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu to advance the necessary zoning changes so that Havat Gilad can be approved next week.

Watch the Hebrew video here: