Prime Minister Naftali Bennett gave special interviews on Monday to Israel's three major news channels and spoke of the recent wave of terror and the political upheaval shaking the coalition.
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"This is not the first time that we've faced a wave of terror in Israel," he said of the attacks that have so far claimed the lives of 14 Israelis. "For over 100 years, every few years there is a wave. We are very determined and we will win. We're entering Jenin, we entered Ya'bad, and we're going after terrorists in their bases. We will win. We will overcome this."
The current uptick in terrorist attacks "is characterized by individuals who are not in the system so it's hard to get intelligence. It's hard for you to know what goes through the mind of a young man with a gun, but this is where we're being proactive, gathering intelligence, carrying out raids, and making arrests – even in the most dangerous places.
"We have excellent security forces – the IDF, counterterrorism units, the Shin Bet – we can count on them," he stressed.
Asked about the decision to replace the security barrier near the so-called "seam zone" – a term used to refer to an area east of the Green Line and west of the Jerusalem-adjacent security fence – with a sophisticated wall, Bennett said, "For the last decade there has been neglect of the barrier. It has hundreds of breach points. We are fixing that as well as bolstering troops on the ground.
"The Israel Police have also been starving [for budgets] for years. The police officers are real heroes – and this is also the opportunity to say how proud we are of our policewomen and policemen – and now we are giving them more resources. Some of them didn't even have basic gear – that's what I mean."
Asked whether he believed terrorist organizations see his government as weak, Bennett replied, "Nonsense. On the contrary. If you look at our policy in Gaza, for example, while our predecessors would tolerate rockets [fired] over 'electrical malfunctions' we strike back over so much as one [arson] balloon. The situation there [on the Israel-Gaza border] is much calmer."
As for the political upheaval that has rattled the government with MK Idit Silman's decision to step down as coalition chair – a move that lost Bennett the fragile majority in parliament – he said that while one can never rule out early elections, he does not believe that would be the case.
"What's really at stake is shoring up the government after the blow we received – and it is a blow and a very negative development," he admitted. "But we can run the government like this for the duration. The other choice is to roll into the abyss of another election and another election," Bennett said, alluding to the two years in which Israel held four consecutive election campaigns before he and Yesh Atid leader and PM-designate Yair Lapid formed their coalition.
Asked about the immediate aftermath of Silman's resignation, he said that "the first order of business was to stabilize the faction. I've spoken with the party heads and this government is moving forward. The alternative is to return to the dark days of more election campaigns. Instead of fighting terrorism, fighting each other."
Bennett further rejected the assertion that the current 60-60 situation in the Knesset has left his government paralyzed, saying that political paralysis "is measured in actions. Controversial laws are hard to pass, but we have no issue with regular legislation."
As for the rumors that in an effort to shore up the coalition he may offer the Joint Arab List a seat at the table – a theory that has already earned him scathing criticism – the PM sought to first comment on remarks made by JAL leader Ayman Odeh urging Arab Israeli police officer to revolt.
"What he did – calling on Arab Israeli police officers to revolt against the state – first of all, in my opinion, it is a criminal offense and a despicable act. Before we get into politics, I want to say something to the Arab security forces who are keeping you and me safe right now: I am proud of you. The people of Israel are proud of you. We love you. Don't give in to this bullying," he said.
"The Joint Arab list is not in the government nor will it be. You don't have to believe every media spin." He lauded Mansour Abbas, head of coalition partner Ra'am, an Islamist party, saying, "This is a collaboration with a leader from Arab society who recognizes the State of Israel as Jewish, who is moderate, who tries to bridge [the sectors], who wants to help in the war on crime in the Arab sector – and we're doing all of that."
Asked if he would ever consider collaborating with Opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu, Bennett replied, "I don't veto it – enough with that. What the public needs is not a veto but rather for all of us to sit together. Netanyahu is not an enemy. He has done many things but it's time to move on."
'Bennet is pathetic'
Opposition members lashed at the prime minister over the interviews, calling them "desperate" and accusing Bennet of again trying to "defraud" the public.
"Bennett, who broke every one of his promises to his constituents, continues to lie. Bennett lost the majority in the Knesset this week, so he is also spreading lies against Idit Silman, who unlike him, has remained true to the principles for which she was elected," a Likud statement said.
"Bennett understands that his time is up and that it's time for a strong government that restores peace and security to the public."
The Religious Zionism Party said, "Naftali Bennett gave a series of alarmed, desperate and pathetic interviews. The man fabricates stories. He has not assumed responsibility for Israel's accelerated deterioration under his lax government, only throws unfounded accusations around.
"He continues to prove he is detached from the political reality and unfortunately also from security reality. He has enslaved the State of Israel to the Islamic movement and no embarrassing pun can hide that.
"Bennett's narcissism is dangerous and jeopardizes Israel. But the truth is that Bennett and his associates understand very well that this government has reached the end of its road. The path of the government of division and hatred has come to an end and God willing, a national Zionist government will soon be formed."
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