Yesh Atid party leader Yair Lapid spoke with Kol Berama Radio on Thursday morning 1 Rosh Chodesh Adar-II, questioned about his support for a bill that would permit expelling the families of terrorists as a deterrent act. Lapid explains that there is a difference and in the case in which the family of a terrorist is aware of the attack in advance and take no action to prevent it, then such actions may be warranted. He added that he is not moving more to the right-wing, explaining “This is not a matter of right or left but about stopping the Knives Intifada for we cannot permit the continued murder of Jews in Israel for the simple fact they are Jews”.

Lapid stated that the attacks began with knives but clearly this intifada is escalating as we are seeing terrorists are using guns in an increasing number of attacks and actions must be taken, perhaps unique and unprecedented actions towards stopping the attacks. This is not a matter of right and left but we must launch a tenacious war against this. One must remember the terrorists are also seeking to place a wedge between us and therefore we must unite in the battle to halt the terror attacks.

Lapid differentiates between his position here and his recent criticism against some of Israel’s policies and the state of affairs in the Foreign Ministry. Here he explains the terrorist does not seek to determine if his victim is left or right or if he is a member of the coalition or opposition. This he feels does not contradict his criticism of many government policies and on the other hand, he travels the world and speaks in defense of his country as one should. “One does not have to be a member of the coalition and government to defend one’s country” he explained. He then detailed much of his criticism with how the Foreign Ministry is being handled in this administration.

Gedolei Yisrael over the generations and the Chief Rabbinate of Israel prohibit visiting Har Habayis

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)