Netanyahu vows ‘strong, fast’ response to terror, calls on citizens not to take law into own hands

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, speaking at the beginning of a security cabinet meeting to discuss the deadly terror attacks and heightened tension, calls on Israelis not to take the law into their own hands.

“Our response will be strong, fast and accurate,” Netanyahu says. “Whoever tries to hurt us — we will harm them, and anyone who helps them.”

“We are not looking for escalation, but we are prepared for any scenario,” he says.

“I call again to the citizens of Israel: Do not take the law into your hands. We are not in the days of the [Jewish] Underground. We have a sovereign country, with an excellent army, government, and security forces,” Netanyahu adds. “Let them do their work.”

The prime minister thanks President Biden and other world leaders for their messages “standing by Israel at this time.”

Praising the security forces, he says Israel is bolstering deployments. Israel will also “seal and demolish” the terrorists’ homes, “in an accelerated process” so that those who support terrorism pay an additional price.

He says the government will speed up the process by which eligible citizens can acquire gun licenses. “As we have seen time and again, including this morning [when the 13-year-old shooter near the Old City was neutralized], this saves lives.”