Efrat mayor Oded Revivi
Efrat mayor Oded ReviviIsrael news photo: Yoni Kempinski

Mayor of Efrat, Lt. Col. Oded Revivi, does not believe sending additional forces into Judea and Samaria is the solution to the deteriorating security situation. 

"These are difficult days, but remember increasing [tension, violence] is not only happening in Gush Etzion, but also in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem," Revivi noted in a radio interview with Arutz Sheva. 

"The surprising fact is that in Judea and Samaria, where there is greater friction, there is also a lower number of terrorist attacks. Even during the Intifada, suicide bombs primarily struck in the centers of cities." 

Revivi argued that security will only be achieved when incitement is stopped.

"The security forces are trying to create a sense of security, but we know that it's only producing a false sensation." 

"We need to invest and to sweat in a Sisyphean task that is shared by all security organizations. Soon they will exhaust their power and we will return to the exact same point."

"Everyone understands that we have ruthless enemies who want to destroy us. There is no justification for the murder of a young woman or for three teenagers to be kidnapped and murdered at a transportation station," Revivi added. 

"Leaders have the responsibility of acting responsibly, and I know that security services do much to soothe the area, on the other hand. Abbas decides if things will escalate or be calm. Now though, he may understand that we too can be incited, so he is trying to calm the flames. We'll see whether he can succeed. "