Police chief urges licensed firearm owners to carry guns after deadly West Bank attack

Israel Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai calls on licensed gun owners to carry them after two Israelis were killed in a shooting attack in the West Bank’s Jordan Valley and a third was critically injured.

“This is a murderous attack that reminds us how serious the threat of hostile activity is,” Shabtai says.

Shabtai also comments on recent clashes at the Al-Aqsa Mosque on Jerusalem’s Temple Mount, stressing the role of security forces to ensure freedom of worship as the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and the Jewish holiday of Passover coincide.

“The motivation to disturb the peace has risen in recent days, and is a result of unrelenting incitement,” he says. “We should continue with wise and targeted activity against anyone who disrupts the order, and on the other hand continue to allow freedom of worship for everyone and preserve channels of discourse and dialogue.”