Itzik Shadmi
Itzik ShadmiIsrael news photo: Arutz Sheva

Chairman Itzik Shadmi of the Binyamin Residents' Council played down on Thursday suggestions that Palestinian Authority Arabs have launched a new terror war (intifada) in Judea and Samaria.

"We don't have to bother ourselves excessively with it too much at the moment, but the IDF should prepare for such an option," Shadmi told Arutz Sheva.

Shadmi noted he is not worried by a possible takeover of Judea and Samaria by Hamas, similar to the terror group's bloody takeover of Gaza in 2007, saying, "At least this way we will recognize the enemy we already know. I'm more concerned by the Fatah people who masquerade as peace partners and one day, when they will be comfortable, they'll strike us."

He said that he believes a popular uprising will be stopped immediately. "The IDF must prepare for the option of eliminating this intifada within a few hours and the IDF can do it," he said.

Shadmi's comments come amid rioting by PA Arabs in Judea and Samaria and warnings that a new intifada is in the works.

In a television interview on Wednesday, arch-terrorist Marwan Barghouti warned Israel against a third intifada.

Speaking to Channel 10 News from his Israeli jail cell, where he is serving five life sentences for his role in planning suicide terror attacks, Barghouti said, "If the occupation continues, then a third intifada - an unarmed, popular one - will occur."

PA Arabs have rioted and attempted to carry out terror attacks in Hevron and throughout Judea and Samaria in recent days.

A recently released video showed a group of Arab terrorists announcing the formation of a new military brigade, which would start a new intifada against Israel beginning in Hevron.