Bayit Yehudi threatens coalition crisis over terror attack

"The terrorist organizations must receive the message that the blood of Israeli citizens, especially residents of Judea and Samaria, is not worthless," says Uri Ariel.

By GIL STERN STERN HOFFMAN
Updated: JULY 2, 2015 01:05
Stabbing attack near Damascus Gate (photo credit: ITZIK COHEN)
Stabbing attack near Damascus Gate
(photo credit: ITZIK COHEN)
Bayit Yehudi leaders Naftali Bennett and Uri Ariel warned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Wednesday that there would be political ramifications if he does not take immediate steps to end the wave of terrorist attacks that have struck Judea, Samaria, and Jerusalem.
Bennett and Ariel briefed the Bayit Yehudi faction following a meeting with Netanyahu in the Knesset. The faction decided to call for canceling steps that would ease the freedom of movement of Palestinians and encouraging building in Judea and Samaria.
Ariel sent an angry letter about the terrorist attacks to Netanyahu Tuesday night, warning that if Israel does not respond more forcefully, terrorist organizations would be emboldened.
“The terrorist organizations must receive the message that the blood of Israeli citizens, especially residents of Judea and Samaria, cannot be shed with impunity,” Ariel said.
Ariel recounted the Jews who had been murdered or wounded in the attacks, which he noted have been taking place since the beginning of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.
“The month of Ramadan has become a holiday of sacrifice in which Jews are the victims,” Ariel said. “If Israel continues its policy of restraint, I’m concerned that there will be more victims. The security cabinet must be convened soon to cancel steps that have been taken to ease freedom of movement for Palestinians in Judea and Samaria.”
Ariel also called for responding to the terrorist attacks by building more outposts and settlements in Judea and Samaria and by officially adopting a report by former Supreme Court Judge Edmond Levy about the legality of Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria.
Bayit Yehudi also protested a decision by the opposition to not pair off with coalition MKs who left the Knesset to attend the funeral of terrorist victim Malachi Rosenberg.
Bayit Yehudi MK Betzalel Smotrich called upon the MKs in his faction to absent themselves from votes until the security situation improves.
“Too many steps have been taken to improve the lives of the Palestinian population at the expense of Israeli citizens, “ Smotrich said on a tour of Avnei Hefetz .“The writing is on the wall if ministers can refuse to vote due to their conscience on conflicts of interest on a gas deal. We can absent ourselves to encourage protecting the citizens of Israel.”