Despite Netanyahu's pledge for more security measures, protesting settlers won't budge
Even after PM Netanyahu pledges to allocate NIS 800 million to bolstering security provisions in West Bank, Heads of regional West Bank councils together with bereaved families continue their protest, asserting: 'We've had our fill of promises.'
It has been four days since leaders of settler movements and members of families whose relatives have been murdered in terror attacks in the West Bank erected a protest tent near the Prime Minister's Residence over the lack of security budgets for the settlements, but despite Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's pledge on Wednesday to allocate the funds needed to resolve the issue, they are showing no signs of relenting.
"We've had our fill of promises, we will not move from here until we see results with our very eyes," said Samaria Regional Council Chairman Yossi Dagan, who is leading the struggle, promising to intensify the demonstration as long as no progress on the issue is made on the ground.
Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein and Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked arrived at the protest tent and promised to work for the transfer of defense budgets.
"I came to listen and try to figure out what I can do in order to really push things along," Edelstein told the protesters. "I take it upon myself to convey this to all the relevant government bodies, and I hope that in the coming days we will hear practical things.
"I am aware of the statements that have been made in recent days, but there is a difference between stating and doing. I am hopeful that we will begin doing soon. I do not think that there are people in the government hostile to your cause, but we need to hurry things along and stress: 'not tomorrow, we need today.'"
"There are already commitments, but we, the government ministers, need to act in order to guarantee these budgets," Shaked added. "At the moment it really is only the last stage, there is already agreement and recognition. We have to make sure that it really happens—that the budget will be approved—and we will do just that in the coming weeks."
As part of the intensification of the struggle, the organizers stated they are already preparing for Sunday's demonstration outside the Prime Minister's Residence.
