Yisrael Beytenu leader Avigdor Liberman on Saturday came out swinging at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying his handling of the wave of terror that Israel is facing was “catastrophic.”
At a cultural event in Tel Aviv, Liberman said that in order to extinguish terror, its sources that incite it, its finance and its commanders must be dealt with. He said that when these elements have immunity there is no chance to stamp out the terror.
“Without a shadow of doubt targeted assassinations must be renewed because they are effective. The terrorists are continuing to dig tunnels and manufacture long-range missiles.”
On the Hamas ruled Gaza Strip, Liberman said there was no need to conquer the territory but that Israel must disturb the routine of terrorists there.
Liberman also said that Israel was the largest financier of Palestinian terror.
“Every family of a Palestinian terrorist who is killed, receives from Abu Mazen [Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas] 14-15 thousand shekels a month that the Palestinian Authority gets from Netanyahu.
Liberman said that the money transferred to the PA comes from taxes that Israel collects for it, and that there was no reason to continue transferring the funds because the Palestinians were in breach of agreements regarding their use.
Last month a Channel 2 News survey found that Liberman was best-equipped to fight Palestinian terrorism.
According to the poll, 73 percent of Israelis are dissatisfied with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s response to the current wave of terrorism. He came only in third place in answers as to who would fight terrorism best and take care of security problems, with only 15% choosing Netanya hu.
Liberman came in first place, with 22% of the respondents choosing him, and Education Minister Naftali Bennett (Bayit Yehudi) was in second, with 17%. Former IDF chief of staff Lt.-Gen. (res.) Gabi Ashkenazi got 10%, 5% of those polled chose opposition leader Isaac Herzog (Zionist Union), and 4% Yesh Atid chairman Yair Lapid.
Liberman has also recently called for the government to deny residency to those living in east Jerusalem who are involved in terrorist activity.
Israel should also “begin using emergency law and institute a military government everywhere it is necessary to eradicate terrorism,” he said.
“I remind the prime minister and cabinet members: words do not stop terrorists. Security is gained through an iron fist.”
Lahav Harkov contributed to this report.