The recent fatal terrorist attacks in Kiryat Arba and near Otniel have resulted in increasing tensions between Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Bayit Yehudi leader Minister Naftali Bennett. Relations between the two are tenuous on the best of days and it appears they have now deteriorated further.

At the motzei Shabbos special session of the Security Cabinet, Bennett made demands, that his plan of response is implemented. He told PM Netanyahu “viral terrorism cannot be addressed with [implementing a] simple closure” as was done.

Bennett is demanding expelling or jailing terrorists who express support or terror attacks as well as calling to raze thousands of illegal Palestinian buildings in Yehuda and Shomron. Bennett also wants Palestinian motorists banned from Route 60, the main area road and wants two new neighborhoods constructed in Kiryat Arba. In addition, he is calling for a limited IDF counter-terrorism operation in areas of Yehuda and Shomron, an operation that would include IDF operations in areas under exclusive PA (Palestinian Authority) control, areas ‘A’ under the Oslo Agreements.

It is reported that Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman at the weekly cabinet meeting on Sunday prohibited Bennett from explaining his demands as listed above, instructing him to stop with all the questions.

Bennett explained that the government must step-up its deterrence policy until such time terrorists realize terrorism does not pay.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)