Sderot Mayor Alon Davidi, who called Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon “a minister without security” during Operation Protective Edge, apologized publicly to the senior minister today. Davidi made his comments as Hamas increased rocket fire into Sderot and other area cities during Operation Protective Edge.

Davidi appeared on Channel 2 News to explain himself and apologize. Mayor Davidi explained the facts are what they are, that katyusha rockets and mortar rockets landed in Sderot and that represents a lack of security. “However, if someone was offended personally, I apologize today but if they fire upon us, I expect a response and this is the case today as well.”

Davidi stressed he addresses the matter at hand and apologized to the defense minister privately, and his apology was accepted however he remains responsible for Sderot and that demands that he continues to speak out demanding the relevant government agencies protect his city against rocket fire and other threats.

Davidi thanks the defense minister and Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu that schools opened on schedule but stressed this comes with an awesome responsibility to protect the children. He admits that today he and many others are still fearful and hopes that if chas v’sholom attacks continue, the government will respond immediately and appropriately.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)