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.

Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook and Twitter

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."

Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!

The post Right accuses public security minister of 'causing terrorist attack in Samaria' appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

Bereaved families launched a campaign on Wednesday demanding Public Security Minister Omer Barlev "apologize or resign" over remarks made to senior American diplomat Victoria Nuland about alleged settler violence and for comparing the "deadly Arab terrorism to some marginal events in the settlements."

Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook and Twitter

The campaign, co-launched with the Samaria Regional Council, will include roadside billboards. If Barlev refuses to apologize, the families will demand that Prime Minister Naftali Bennett dismiss him.

The public security minister had told Nuland that Israel was working to tackle the alleged settler violence and was taking steps to bolster police presence in Judea and Samaria. He also said that efforts were directed to provide clearer instructions to Israeli troops on how to deal with attacks by Jews on Palestinians.

Despite a storm of criticism from bereaved families, Knesset members, and even fellow coalition members, Barlev refused to apologize.

"I understand that it is really difficult for some of you to look in the mirror and face [the fact] that extreme settler violence [has become an issue] on the international stage, with foreign governments taking an interest," he tweeted on Tuesday. I recommend that those who have difficulty [understanding this] drink a glass of water.

"I will continue to fight Palestinian terrorism as if there is no extremist settler violence, and extremist settler violence as if there is no Palestinian terrorism," he said.

Yossi Dagan, head of the Samaria Regional Council, said, "A public security minister who compares Arab terrorism to marginal events in the settlements should not remain in office. This is a failure in values. A person who refuses to apologize and belittles bereaved families must resign … We launched the campaign because this statement by the public security minister could lead to disparagement in the attacks against settlers in Samaria and could harm the security of the residents.

"The government of Israel, inform Barlev [that he must] either apologize or resign," Dagan said.

Among the bereaved families are Yael Shevach, the widow of Rabbi Raziel Shevach, who was murdered in 2018; Tohar Yosef, the eldest son of Evyatar Borovsky – a 31-year old father of five – who was killed in a terror attack in 2013; Miriam Ben-Gal, the widow of Rabbi Itamar Ben-Gal, who was stabbed to death in 2018; Tamar Ettinger, the widow of Rabbi Achiad Ettinger, who was killed in a terrorist attack in 2019; and Itsik Abutbul whose wife Hadas was shot and killed by Palestinian terrorists in 2001.

Also on Wednesday, the Palestinian Authority expressed support for Barlev's statement, calling it "a step in the right direction and first official recognition by Israel of crimes committed by Jewish gangs against Palestinians."

Nevertheless, it said, "It is not enough. We call on the centrist and left-wing ministers in the government to end their silence and declare that they condemn and oppose settler terrorism and attacks on Palestinians, which will help create trust-building measures between Palestinians and Israelis and help create a suitable atmosphere for resolving the conflict."

Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!

The post Bereaved families demand resignation of public security minister appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.