The education of Israel's new defense minister
In the past, Avigdor Liberman was called to use an iron fist against Palestinians in order to curb terror, but as Israel's new defense minister he might change his tone.
On June 9, Israeli social media was inundated with a Facebook post written on Oct. 13, 2015, immediately after one of the worst attacks that occurred in the wave of terrorism known as the "intifada of knives" or the "intifada of individuals."
The post read as follows: "I expect that after the Cabinet meets today, they will release the following clear decisions and instructions:
- No terrorist, male or female, should come out of any attack alive.
- Procedures for opening fire currently in use in the United States should be adopted here.
- Any East Jerusalem resident involved in terrorist activities will have their residency status revoked.
- Emergency legislation must be implemented, and a military government must be established wherever necessary in order to rein in terrorism.
Let me remind the Prime Minister and the Cabinet: Words do not stop terrorism. Security can only be achieved with an iron fist!"
The author of that post was Avigdor Liberman, then an opposition member of the Knesset known for his relentless attacks on the government from the right. At the time, he demanded drastic action to rein in terrorism.
