Several public figures are demanding the application of Israeli sovereignty in Judea and Samaria as a response to terror. The Sovereignty Movement joins the call, declaring: sovereignty is not a punishment but a historic, Zionist and ethical imperative.
The Sovereignty Movement joins the call made by several public figures for the application of Israeli sovereignty in Judea and Samaria as a historic, vital and necessary Zionist step but also one that would be a long-term obstacle to waves of terror.
“Terror is driven by the hope of establishing an Arab state on the ruins of Israel. This hope can be cut off by the application of Israeli sovereignty in Judea and Samaria”, say the co-chairwomen of the Sovereignty Movement, Yehudit Katsover and Nadia Matar.
The two women’s remarks are similar to those made by a number of public figures who are calling for a deep and basic Zionist response to terror, the response of sovereignty, following the terror attack in which Rina Shnerb, Hy”d, was murdered and her father, Rav Eitan and brother Dvir were injured.
Addressing the Prime Minister, Minister of Transportation Bezalel Smotrich wrote: “Mr. Prime Minister, the time has come to exact a price. The terrorists are backed by the Palestinian Authority, considered heroes by their public and have quite favorable conditions in prison. The Palestinian Authority incites terror and must be dismantled; their hope must be cut off; and we must again take responsibility and apply sovereignty in all parts of Judea and Samaria”.
Smotrich also wrote to Netanyahu that “we must adopt the recommendations made by Minister Erdan’s committee and worsen conditions for imprisoned terrorists. We must immediately put blockades up again in Judea and Samaria. The Arabs’ quality of life is not worth one more of our fatalities”.
Former mayor of Jerusalem, MK Nir Barkat stated, following the terror attack, that “our response to terror will be the application of sovereignty, the strengthening of the settlement enterprise and war on the Palestinian Authority’s incitement and boycott movements”.
The Yamina Party published an announcement stating that “The policy of containment regarding murderous terror attacks must stop. Whether in the Gaza envelope or Judea and Samaria – the terrorists do not rest and Israel relies on containment. This insufferable situation must stop: in bringing back targeted assassinations, placing blockades, destroying terrorists’ houses and applying Israeli sovereignty. Today”.
Head of Har Hevron Council Yohai Damari also commented: “the deterioration of the security situation demands an appropriate response. The recent series of events indicates a trend and dragging our feet is not a solution. Expelling the families of terrorists along with applying sovereignty over Area C are the initial steps required”.
Head of Binyamin Council Yisrael Gantz, who came to the scene of the terror attack stated: “The time has come for the State of Israel to wake up – to initiate and not only react, to send a message of firmness, strength and resolve, so that the attackers will know that it is no longer possible to attack with impunity travelers who come to enjoy the springs. ‘I expect the Prime Minister to assure the safety and security of the residents of Judea and Samaria; to not only promise to apply sovereignty but to also implement it”, said Gantz.
The Sovereignty Movement welcomes the remarks of these and other public figures and agrees with them, but regrets that the realization of the need for sovereignty only comes to the fore after murderous terror attacks. The Israeli leadership’s Zionist mission for this generation is the application of sovereignty. Sovereignty is not a punishment imposed on anyone, but a historic imperative and Zionist and Jewish commandment. The People of Israel are obligated to complete the commandment of settling in its promised Land. Along with historic justice, sovereignty has the additional value of an act that will cut off the enemy’s dream, the engine driving the acts of terror, the dream of the destruction of Israel”.
“Sovereignty will curb terror, but will also foster a spirit of hope and faith in the future of the Jewish People in its Land. Security, economy, regional stability and stable governance are only some of the benefits of sovereignty, but first and foremost, it is a historic imperative to recognize the political window of opportunity that has opened to the government of Israel and act along with the historical trend to strengthen the People of Israel in its Land”.