From the Liveblog of
Friday, April 7, 2023
In joint video at deadly West Bank terror scene, Netanyahu and Gallant vow killers will be found
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant together visit the scene of today’s deadly terror shooting in the Jordan Valley of the West Bank and use the opportunity to issue statements to reporters regarding the ongoing security escalation.
Netanyahu in his remarks refers to Gallant as defense minister, after announcing a decision to fire him and subsequently cold-shouldering him for over a week and a half since.
Netanyahu says “It’s only a matter of time, but not a lot of time” until Israel catches the perpetrators of the attack.
The premier says the security cabinet approved a series of military operations last night in response to rocket fire from Lebanon and Gaza and that not all of them have been finished after overnight IDF airstrikes in both countries.
He says the decisions included arrests across the West Bank along with other operations about which he could not elaborate.
Netanyahu says “Our enemies are once again testing us,” but will learn that they were mistaken to do so and that Israel will respond forcefully.
Gallant says Israel is working intensely to apprehend the suspects responsible for today’s terror shooting.
Whoever tries to harm Israelis “will either find themself in a grave or in jail,” says the defense minister.
“Whoever tries to turn our holiday into days of mourning will regret doing so,” Gallant adds.
Their joint appearance comes less than two weeks after Netanyahu announced that he decided to fire Gallant after the latter called on the government to pause its judicial overhaul because opposition to it had “penetrated the IDF and security agencies.”
However, Netanyahu has yet to submit a formal letter of dismissal, and earlier this week, his office said that the premier was putting the firing on hold due to the security situation.
