Right-wing lawmakers expressed outrage Thursday against Public Security Minister Omer Barlev and the government, claiming that instead of fighting terrorism in Judea and Samaria they incited violence against Jewish settlers.
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The harsh criticism came against the backdrop of Thursday's deadly terrorist attack in which 25-year-old Yehuda Dimantman from the Homesh settlement was killed, and an earlier incident in which Barlev was criticized for discussing perceived settler violence against Palestinians in Judea and Samaria with a senior US diplomat.
"At the peak of a terror wave, the failed government of [Prime Minister Naftali] Bennett, [Foreign Minister Yair] Lapid, and Barlev are busy inciting against the settlers," the Likud said in a statement, demanding that Arab MK "Mansour Abbas and Ra'am condemn the Samaria terrorist attack in Arabic on their Facebook and Twitter accounts, without conditions and excuses. After they received 53 billion shekels from Bennett, this is the least they can do."
Likud MK Shlomo Karhi said, "Omer Barlev should resign now and stand trial, before more Jews are harmed and murdered because of his incitement."
Otzma Yehudit leader Itamar Ben-Gvir also criticized the government, "When Defense Minister [Benny] Gantz follows a lax policy and minister Barlev slanders Israel and attacks the settlers shamelessly, the terrorists smell weakness, do not shy away and rear their heads. The lax policies of Barlev and Gantz and a government that relies on the Muslim Brotherhood lead to terrorist attacks. Barlev's words led to the attack. Words can kill."
Bennett vowed to 'settle the score' with the perpetrators, who managed to escape after the attack.
Gantz also echoed this sentiment, tweeting the following statement: "I would like to express my condolences to the family of the terror victim killed in Judea and Samaria this evening, and wish a speedy recovery to those who suffered injuries in the attack. Security forces will catch the perpetrator.
"We will increase our vigilance and readiness to thwart terror in Judea and Samaria, and will continue to take any measures necessary in facing terror groups in the area," he said.
Condolences and wishes for a speedy recovery poured in from lawmakers.
Interior Minister Ayelet Shaked said, "Palestinian terrorism once again demonstrates that the war on the land of Israel has not ended and that the settlers of Judea and Samaria constitute a defensive wall of the State of Israel … The security forces will lay their hands on the heinous murderers who have not yet come to terms with a Jewish presence in the land of Israel."
Justice Minister Gideon Sa'ar said, "Jewish settlers in Judea and Samaria throughout the years have been the target of Palestinian violence and murder and sacrificed a heavy price to establish our hold in the heart of the country."
Finance Minister Avigdor Lieberman tweeted, "Terrorism cannot be tolerated … We will spare no effort, time, and finances to thwart terrorism and arrest the terrorists. There is no coalition and opposition when it comes to the fight on terror, we will join hands to wage a powerful and uncompressing war [on terrorism]."
Barlev also posted on Twitter following the attack, "A tragic attack [happened] near Homesh this evening, Palestinian terrorism rears its ugly head again," Barlev tweeted. "My condolences to the family and the loved ones of the murdered yeshiva boy, and a speedy recovery to the wounded."
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