Mk Chetboun in Psagot
Mk Chetboun in PsagotSpokesperson

On a visit to Psagot Sunday afternoon, MK Yoni Chetboun (Bayit Yehudi) said that the release of terrorists by the government would only encourage more terrorism.

Chetboun was in the town in the wake of the the attack on 9-year-old Noam Glick. Glick was shot Saturday night in the neck at close range. The girl was badly injured, but is in good condition after surgery.

Chetboun, who is currently serving on the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, met with the town's officials and visited the family. The MK was also given a briefing by military and police officials. This was followed by a meeting with the head of the Binyamin Council, Avi Roeh, along with Binyamin Brigade Commander Lt-Col. Yossi Pinto.

“Terrorism is rearing its head, and it is impossible not to see this in the context of the two previous shootings in the past few weeks,” Chetboun said, referring to the shootings of two IDF soldiers by Palestinian Authority (PA) terrorists in recent weeks.

As Glick was shot and the soldiers were killed, Chetboun said, the government was busy negotiating Israeli concessions with the PA. “The State of Israel has been reminded yet again that while we have been discussing peace, our “partners” are discussing war,” he said. “Releasing murderers has acted as a 'lubricant,' an encouragement, to the motivation of terrorist organizations. Terrorism will not be stopped with gestures, but with deterrence. When the State of Israel freed murderers, terrorists feel free to act. It is our responsibility as Members of Knesset, to stop this folly of releasing murderers; unfortunately we are seeing the results blossom in front of our eyes,” he said.

“I call on the Prime Minister and the Defense Minister to implement an immediate proactive military policy that will restore security to the area and in addition, will restore the deterrence that has been breached over the previous few weeks,” Chetboun added. “When terror rears its head, it must be eradicated, not respected.”