Chairman of the Knesset Committee for Foreign Affairs and Defense, MK Ze'ev Elkin (Likud) called for the death penalty for the murderers of Naftali Frenkel (16), Gilad Sha'ar (16), and Eyal Yifrah (19) Tuesday, as part of efforts to increase deterrence against Palestinian Arab terrorism.
Speaking with Voice of Israel public radio Tuesday, Elkin called for the total demolition of the homes of the kidnapping suspects, who were named as Marwan Kawasmeh and Amar Abu-Eisha and whose homes were partially destroyed Monday night. Elkin reiterated that the home demolitions have been proven to deter future Hamas terrorists.
The MK also called for death penalty for the murderers, adding that the official response to the abduction must deepen Israel's foothold in Judea and Samaria.
Elkin similarly called for sovereignty over Judea and Samaria Monday night, in a heated speech at the Institute of National Security Studies think-tank in Tel Aviv.
“We delayed our demand [for annexation] for the last 20 years, thinking it will bring us closer to an agreement, but that did not happen,” he said. “The Palestinians have only hardened their positions, and today there are those among us who try to convince us that a Palestinian state is in Israel's interest. When this is the position that the heads of the INSS present together with the left, it only pushes the Palestinians further from reaching an agreement”
Elkin emphasized, "There is no escape from gradually annexing parts of Judea and Samaria so that everyone knows it will remain a part of Israel."
Elkin is not the first MK to advocate for sovereignty over Judea and Samaria. Jewish Home chairman Minister Naftali Bennett has also advocated for this, and recently presented a detailed plan.