Samaria Regional Council head Gershon Mesika criticized the Israeli government following the fatal terrorist attack Tuesday at a junction in Samaria (Shomron).
“This despicable murder was the direct result of inadequate action on rock-throwing terrorism, of opening the checkpoints, and of treating daily terrorist attacks as ‘disturbances,’” Mesika accused.
One month ago Mesika urged the IDF to begin responding to rock attacks with live fire, and warned that the lack of a harsh response was creating “anarchy.”
Sources in the Bayit Yehudi (Jewish Home) Knesset faction joined Mesika in calling Tuesday for a tougher response to terrorism.
They also called to change the conditions provided to terrorists in Israel’s prisons. “We have to stop the party – with television, newspapers, hot meals – so that motivation to kill us will be lessened, hopefully before the next murder,” they argued.
The Bayit Yehudi’s Young Leadership faction said, “The terrorist attack today was just a matter of time. When checkpoints are opened to free movement, terrorists can make a move, too.”
“When terrorists with blood on their hands are released after just a short time in prison, they understand that murdering a Jew is OK,” the faction’s statement continued. “When a terrorist goes on hunger strike and the state of Israel gives in to him and decides to release him – it invites terrorism.”
It concluded, “We call on the government of Israel to start taking the threat of terrorism seriously. Don’t play with terrorists. The murder of Israeli citizens is not a game.”