As violence spirals, Netanyahu faces threat from right flank
Government ministers from Bayit Yehudi, Likud and Kulanu join settlers' rally outside the Prime Minister's Residence, calling on Netanyahu to launch an operation to eliminate terrorism in the West Bank.
"We're tired of promises. The prime minister promised that terrorists' homes would be demolished within 48 hours, but they have yet to demolish the homes of Ari Fuld's murderers and the murderers of the soldiers in Givat Asaf. I call on the prime minister—if you make a promise, keep it," Bennett said at the rally outside the Prime Minister's Residence, which drew hundreds of people.
"The enemy's goal is to try to break us. Despair? There's immense strength here. But our hands are tied behind our backs because of fake justice. Only when we free our hands could we stop it," he asserted.
Agriculture Minister Uri Ariel stressed that "There is no one among the people who would allow terrorism—not in Gaza, not in the north, and not in Judea and Samaria. Not just Bayit Yehudi, but the Likud Party also demands security. This demand is made of the defense minister and prime minister, and it's clear: Let the IDF win. The IDF knows how to do the job, even on three fronts."
Bayit Yehudi is promoting two bill proposals the party says will help combat terrorism: one seeks to expel terrorists' families from their homes, while the other seeks to provide legal status to outposts built on state land in the West Bank and with the encouragement of the government.
Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked, who also spoke at the rally, called on Netanyahu to support the legislation and also urged him to legalize structures in the settlement of Ofra built on Palestinian land.
"This is one of the cornerstones of the settlement enterprise in Judea and Samaria," she said.
Likud MK Oren Hazan vowed he would not vote with the government on legislation that seeks ensure only the leader of the largest party is tasked with constructing a government after elections until the IDF is ordered to launch an operation in the West Bank.
"I won't vote for any tailor-made law until an operation is launched to combat terrorism in the Samaria. Today we're going on the offensive. We're tired of indecision. We want to eliminate terrorists," Hazan said.
In addition to Hazan, Likud Ministers Yariv Levin and Ofir Akunis also attended the rally.
Economy Minister Eli Cohen came to "express solidarity."
"There is one Zionist answer here, and it bolstering the settlement and construction. I commit to supporting the legalizing of Ofra."
Housing and Construction Minister Yoav Galant said he was "proud of the construction in all of the communities (in the West Bank). We'll give them legitimization and continue building."
"Your settlement is the real Zionism of our time. We'll establish security in Judea and Samaria, no matter the cost. Every terrorist will end his life in prison or in a cemetery," Galant vowed.
Yesh Atid leader MK Yair Lapid came out against the rally, but not its cause. "There is no sadder joke than government and cabinet ministers who are protesting against themselves," he said.
Lapid noted that "The IDF and Shin Bet have repeatedly alerted in security discussions that the area is about to catch fire. Rather than going on a diplomatic move from a position of power, rather than taking advantage of the security coordination (with the Palestinian Authority) to suppress terrorism, Netanyahu did nothing and the ministers were mostly busy leaking (from government discussions). Now they're protesting the fact they themselves neglected security."
