In an appearance before the Knesset Foreign Affairs & Defense Committee on Wednesday, 7 Iyar 5774, Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon will give a comprehensive report on security matters. Included in the report will be efforts to halt so-called price tag attacks and apprehend those responsible. It will be the minister’s first appearance before the senior committee in months. Since no permanent chairman has been appointed to the committee since Avigdor Lieberman resumed his cabinet post as foreign minister, MK (Yesh Atid) Ofir Shelach will preside over the session.

The cabinet has already taken a major step, equating price tag attacks with acts of terror. This means harsher sentences for anyone convicted of such an act.

Justice Minister Tzipi Livni is convening an urgent meeting of officials to address hate crimes, her response to price tag attacks. Public Security Minister Yitzchak Aharonovich, State Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein and Police Chief Yochanan Danino are expected to attend along with other legal officials and representatives of the IDF and ISA (Israel Security Agency – Shin Bet).

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)