- British mother Lucy Dee died of her wounds yesterday, three days after the deadly shooting attack that claimed the lives of her two daughters, Maia and Rina.
- Her death is widely mourned across Israel, UK and the Jewish world. Both President Herzog and Prime Minister Netanyahu have issued condolences.
- Her Husband, a former Rabbi in the UK, gave an impassioned plea to differentiate between good and evil.
- Last night Prime Minister Netanyahu addressed the nation. He began by again offering condolences to the Dee family.
- Relating to the recent wave of attacks, Netanyahu blamed the previous government for the loss of deterrence.
- He warned that if there are further attacks from Syria, President Assad will pay “a very heavy price,” adding that Israel will not allow Hamas to entrench itself in Lebanon.
- Netanyahu also confirmed Defence Minister Gallant will remain in post, having put their past differences behind them.
- In a rare move, he also answered questions from journalists. On the issue of judicial reforms, Netanyahu said that he was looking for a broad agreement, whist promising to protect minorities and women, LGBTQ people and the ultra-Orthodox.
- Asked about the formation of a National Guard, Netanyahu said it “will not be anyone’s militia” and would fall under the command of one of the security forces.
- Also yesterday – around 20,000 right wing Israelis including seven government ministers and 17 coalition MKs marched to the West Bank settler outpost of Evyatar in protest of recent terror attacks. Among the marchers were National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Betzalel Smotrich.
Tension remains high, but relative calm has been maintained over the last 48 hours, despite the previous few days marked by rocket fire from Syria, Lebanon, Gaza Strip and two deadly terror attacks.
- The right wing march was criticised by some on the right for diverting IDF troops to defend the marchers instead of participating in the manhunt for the terrorists that killed three members of the Dee family.
- There was also criticism that Israel’s response to the recent attacks has been too feeble. Likud MK Danny Danon told Army Radio, “The containment approach isn’t working and has brought on further attacks. We have to pivot from containing to defeating. The current situation can’t go on. The effort to postpone the inevitable has only brought us to a multiple-theatre incident. We have all the capabilities and strength to pummel our enemies. Our region only understands force and the time has come for us to use it.”
- However members of the security cabinet have maintained that Israel’s retaliatory strikes were proportionate and commensurate, given the circumstances.
- The police released new intelligence that explained their decision to enter into the al Aqsa mosque last week. According to Police Commissioner Insp. Gen. Yaakov Shabtai, as well as rocks and fireworks, explosive devices were also smuggled into the Temple Mount last week with the intention of using them against the police.
- Netanyahu’s comments blaming the outgoing government for the increased terror is the latest spat between government and opposition. On Sunday night, Netanyahu met with Leader of the Opposition Lapid and gave him a security update. Afterwards, Lapid said, “The opposition will support any action recommended by the security branches. I arrived at the briefing with Netanyahu worried, and I left even more worried.”
- In response, the Likud accused Lapid of playing “petty politics instead of projecting a message of firm unity to our enemies.”
- Latest opinion polling on Channel 13 News shows a massive surge for Benny Gantz’s, National Unity Party up to 29 seats (from 12) with Yesh Atid down slightly to 21. Whilst Likud slumps to 20 (currently with 32). The Religious Zionist Party and Jewish Power are also sightly down 11 (now 14), with Shas polling 9; United Torah Judaism: 6; Hadash-Ta’al: 6; United Arab List: 5; Yisrael Beiteinu: 5; Labour Party: 4; Balad: 4. This would give the current coalition parties: 46 seats (down from 64) and the former coalition parties: 64 seats with Hadash-Ta’al and Balad on 10 combined.
- The same poll also shows both Lapid and Gantz receiving more support for being better suited to serve as prime minister, rather than Netanyahu.
The manhunt to apprehend the terrorists who murdered the three Dee family members is still ongoing after the terrorists’ vehicle was found by Palestinian Authority security forces in Nablus.
- The organs of the late Lucy Dee were transplanted and have saved the lives of 5 people.
- A decision is expected to be made soon on whether to allow or close the Temple Mount to Jewish visitors in the last week of Ramadan.
- The security establishment has said there was no security reason for Jews not to visit the Temple Mount on the seventh day of Passover (tomorrow), but after that it could then be limited to Muslim worshippers for the duration of Ramadan.