Yaalon: No Magic Solutions to Terror Wave

Chananel Dorani, the head of the Kedumim local council, on Wednesday credited observant residents and security personnel in preventing what could potentially have been a terror attack in the town. “We cannot allow a situation where we get used to the idea that terror has a place in our society and is something we cannot do anything about,” he told Army Radio. “The security apparatus in Israel must awaken from its slumber and begin to actively and aggressively fight terror.”

Earlier Wednesday, security forces in Kedumim arrested a female Arab who was seen climbing a hill to the Ramat Yishai neighborhood of the town, brandishing a long knife. Residents had observed her climbing up the road that leads to the neighborhood, in pursuit of a resident of the town, who managed to get to her home and lock the door, preventing the terrorist from getting in.

Security cameras captured footage of the chase, and a security officer observed the terrorist near the woman’s home. He shot in the air, and the terrorist threw down her knife. IDF personnel arrived a short time later and arrested her.

Earlier, an Arab attempted to stab an IDF soldier Wednesday morning at a checkpoint in western Shomron. The incident occurred at a checkpoint near the town of Elkana, near Petach Tikvah. No Israelis were injured in the incident. The terrorist was shot and killed.

Speaking on Israel Radio Wednesday afternoon, Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon said  that there was no “magic wand” that could be waved to end the recent terror wave. “We have had difficult days, yesterday and today. We are taking all the steps we have at our disposal to deal with the situation. Despite the problems, I am positive we will succeed in stemming terror.”

As part of the defense establishment’s strategy, intelligence gathering had been sharpened in recent weeks, a move that “has spared the public from not a few potential terror attacks, which were prevented when we arrested terrorists” close to carrying out attacks, the Defense Minister said. “We differentiate between terrorists and other Palestinians. In actuality, the vast majority of Palestinians are not participating in these attacks.

At a security cabinet meeting Tuesday night, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and senior officials announced a series of responses to Tuesday’s terror spree. Among the operative decisions: A cut in the number of work permits to be issued to Palestinians, and a reinforcement of the security fence, especially in the Yerushalayim and south Chevron Hills areas.

“We are undertaking other measures, such as implementing new laws and regulations to prevent illegal Arabs from entering Israel,” added Yaalon. “We are not asleep at the wheel, but if someone thinks we can wave our hand and end terror – they are mistaken.”