"Those who try to uproot us from the city of our fathers will achieve only the opposite.....' Netanyahu vows

Netanyahu allows Jews to return to Machpelah house
 

Following a string of terrorist attacks and political pressure from the Right, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a directive to allow Jews to move into Hebron's Machpelah house. The move has already been sanctioned by the Judea and Samaria Military Court which ruled that the house was lawfully purchased last summer.

Earlier on Sunday, ministers Naftali Bennett and Yisrael Katz expressed fierce criticism of the plan to release a second round of terrorists as part of peace talks with the Palestinian Authority.

"Those who try to uproot us from the city of our fathers will achieve only the opposite. With one hand we will fight terror and with the other we'll strengthen settlement," Netanyahu said.

The decision is subject to the authorization of Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon and has been pending for almost three months.

Netanyahu's statement was issued shortly after Economy Minister Naftali Bennett asked Cabinet Secretary Avichai Mandelblit and Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alom to authorise the entry of Jews to the Machpelah house. "We know how to build and settle, not kill," he wrote. "This is the appropriate Zionist response. Whoever wants to uproot us from our land should know he is single handedly building another Jewish home. The answer to those who kill is to do what Zionism has always done - to build."

On Saturday, Bennett sent Netanyahu a letter urging a discussion on the release of terrorists following the latest terror attacks. Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz also expressed fierce criticism on the matter at a Sukkot event. Meanwhile, Deputy Defense Minister Danny Danon asked the prime minister to freeze negotiations with the Palestinians until Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas condemns the recent terror attacks.

IDF Chief of Staff Benny Grantz met with Central Command chief Nitzan Alon for a situation assessment following the killing of SSgt. Gal Kobi by a Palestinian sniper in Hebron.

The two will discuss ways of response. Security forces are still searching for the terrorist in Hebron.

Source 

Ynet News