This is not the first time that the words of this column are being written, but the message must be nevertheless said time and again until something changes.
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Over the past 18 months, northern Samaria has seen an intifada that has been spilling over into all of the West Bank. It is threatening all of us, Tel Aviv residents just like Kiryat Arba residents; Kfar Saba just like Karnei Shomron.
Murderous terrorists, bearing arms that are very much accessible, keep trying to kill innocent Israelis. Just last week we published in this paper that defense officials are convinced that they will have to launch yet another operation in Jenin soon, because of the many attacks originating there. Nablus, which is close to the site of the weekend attack in Hawara, is also a viper's nest for many attacks.
But despite this, practically none of the senior right-wing politicians in the government have demanded that more action be taken. After Saturday's attack, the ministers issued their laconic statements, with the requisite clause on hunting down the perpetrator. But this is not the problem; he has already carried out his mission by killing Israelis. The problem is with the next terrorist, and the one after him.
It is time to take care of the root cause for what is unfolding in northern Samaria; not just an operation for a day or two, or a surgical strike somewhere. I am talking about real action that would restore deterrence for the next 20 years. We need a sledgehammer that would make it clear who is in charge; we need roadblocks to prevent terrorists from going on their killing sprees, alongside determined conduct that would put an end to terrorism over a protracted period. So long as the prime minister, the defense minister, and the Diplomatic-Security Cabinet do not launch a widespread operation we are condemned to have more dead to mourn. Let the IDF win already.
The government should also communicate to its citizens a message that it is thanks to the amazing action of the troops that they feel safe most of the time. The attacks being thwarted in Jenin and Nablus do not reach Netanya and Hadera and all that allows you to shrug off the situation, and whenever there are some casualties in Judea and Samaria, they just say 'Oh, how terrible things are over there in the West Bank,' and then move on. For every attack that gets perpetrated, there are some 100 that get thwarted. That has desensitized Israelis. The writing was on the wall, as the cliche says regarding Judea and Samaria. But the attack on Saturday in Hawara was a result of a perfect storm for that adage: The sounding of the alarm was heard over and over again in the previous months – from violent carjackings to attempted murder cases and many more incidents – but to no avail.
Hundreds of Israeli Jews flock to villages in Judea and Samaria every Saturday to run some errands and do some shopping. Without diminishing the blame on the bloody perpetrator, it must be said: Never, ever, should Israelis go into Palestinian towns on their own accord; this puts them in a clear and present danger, especially in those shops that are frequented by Israelis.
A man who goes to the car mechanic in Hawara is a sitting duck. Israeli citizens must show some responsibility by avoiding those places or at the very least make sure they are safe. Because finding bargains could ultimately cost you your life.
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