Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the site of Sunday’s deadly terror attack which claimed the lives of two Israelis and critically injured another. In a televised statement to reporters who accompanied him, the Israeli leader sent his condolences to the families of those slain in the heinous attack, Staff Sergeant Gal Keidan and Rabbi Achiad Ettinger, vowing to use all means necessary to “defeat the murderers.” Netanyahu further noted that the identity of the terrorist is known, and that amid the ongoing manhunt actions are underway against his family. In Netanyahu’s words: “We know the identity of the assailant; the IDF, ISA (Shin Bet) and the security services are in close pursuit. We know where he lives and have located his family. This morning I gave the orders to start the demolition of his home and the preparations have begun.” / “There are always actions that we are taking against the families and clans of these murderers. We did so yesterday, and we will continue to do so. I would like to point out one thing: They will not uproot us from here. Our strength is great.”
The Prime Minister reiterated the eternal presence of the Jewish people in their ancient homeland by quoting a verse from the bible, book of Exodus, Chapter 1 Verse 12. “These terrorists will not uproot us from here; the complete opposite will happen. Our response is simple – ‘the more they afflict them, the more they multiplied and grew,” The Israeli Prime Minister said.
Hundreds of mourners participated in Staff Sergeant Gal Keidan funeral. The 19-year-old IDF soldier was the first victim of the terror attack perpetrated at a junction near the West Bank Settlement of Ariel. He was laid to rest at the military cemetery in the southern Israeli city of Be’er Sheva.
Hundreds of mourners also attended the funeral of the Israeli civilian who was murdered, Rabbi Ahiad Ettinger, a 47-year-old resident of the West Bank settlement of Eli, who is survived by his wife and 12 children. Education Minister Naftali Bennett who attended the funeral delivered a eulogy, telling the rabbi’s children that they could be proud of their father, who was the head of a religious seminary in a south Tel Aviv neighborhood. Minister Bennett, who is also a member of Jerusalem‘s security cabinet, said: “At your grave, I say, that Jewish blood will no longer be the cheapest commodity in the Middle East. We will cut off terror only by freeing the cables of consciousness and legality that are preventing us from winning.”
It is important to note that the Israeli soldier who was critically injured in the attack is still fighting for his life.
In response to the deadly terror attack, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the planned construction of an entirely new neighborhood in the West Bank Settlement of Ariel.