Otzma Yehudit, led by Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, announced Wednesday that it would not attend the parliament and will hold a special faction meeting in the southern city of Sderot to protest what it said was a "weak response" to the recent escalation in Gaza.
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Slamming the government for not using more force, Otzma Yehudit issued the following statement: "First they said there is judicial reform, then Ramadan, but now there is no reason why Israel should shy away from a powerful retaliation." The party noted that its members would not attend critical votes in the Knesset plenum on Wednesday in order to voice its disapproval, although the Coalition is expected to have enough hands to avoid legislative setbacks.
Another prominent lawmaker, Orit Strock from the Religious Zionism Party, said, "The government is following the same path as the previous government; Gaza has not been paying the price for Hamas' ongoing terrorism."
On Tuesday and early Wednesday, more than 100 rockets were fired on Israel by terrorist groups in response to the death of a Palestinian prisoner who had been hunger-striking in Israeli prison and had refused treatment. One person was severely injured by the projectiles, which prompted Israel to launch massive air strikes on some 20 targets overnight. An unofficial calm has been in place since dawn.
Earlier on Tuesday, Likud MK Danny Danon also voiced disapproval of the government's handling of the situation. "Ramadan is over. The excuses are over. There is no longer any reason for restraint. Now is the time to strike hard at those who seek to harm us," he tweeted. On Wednesday, he blasted Prime Minister Benajmin Netanyahu while speaking with i24NEWS, saying there is a need to "build deterrence."
"The terror organizations were the ones who actually decided when we started this cycle and when we ended. I think we should have responded with much more intensity and power to send a very clear message to Hamas and the PIJ organizations in Gaza that we will not tolerate attacks against civilians in Israel," he said.
Residents of Sderot, who also criticized the Coalition for its response to the rockets and are planning to hold a demonstration at 8 p.m. local time.
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