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Liberman: I wanted al-Ata killed a year ago, Netanyahu prevented it
Success has many fathers[Jpost] Yisrael Beytenu leader Avigdor Liberman claimed in an interview to Walla that he wanted to target kill top Islamic Jihad commander Bahaa Abu al-Ata a year ago, when serving as Defense Minister, and that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was the one who resisted and prevented it. "I claimed a year ago that we should have looked for a targeted killing of [al-Ata], then it was the prime minister who forcefully prevented it. It doesn't matter why, he just did, but it's better late than never," Liberman said. President Reuven Rivlin and politicians from across the political spectrum came out in support of the IDF operation Tuesday morning which killed top Islamic Jihad commander Bahaa Abu Al-Atta in the Gaza Strip earlier in the day. "We stand behind the security forces, who have been working for the success of this morning's operations for a long time," Rivlin said in a statement. "I know that they, and the Israeli government that approved the operation, have Israel's security, and only that, in their minds. "This is no time for political squabbles, and those who do so bring no credit to themselves. It is the time to stop such statements immediately. Israeli citizens – please listen to the life-saving instructions of the IDF Home Front Command and take good care of yourselves." Blue and White leader Benny Gantz, a former IDF chief of staff, praised the military for the successful operation and said it was the "right decision." He said that he had been updated about the strike before it was carried out. "Blue and White will support any justified action taken to keep Israel safe and we place the security of our residents above politics," Gantz said. Posted by: Frank G 2019-11-12 |
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