Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu visited the ‘Yehudai’ Border Police base Jerusalem, where he received an update on preparations for reinforcements to be dispatched as part of steps enacted Tuesday night to increase the fight against terror.
Netanyahu met with the Israel Police and Border Police officers at the base, including some who have actively foiled terror attacks since violence increased earlier this month. He thanked the officers and praised them for their composure, fighting spirit, and courage, and asked them to take care of themselves as well.
“I came here first of all to express my appreciation, as well [as the appreciation of] Internal Security Minister [Gilad Erdan] and Acting Police Chief Bentzi Sau, for the extraordinary work you are doing, saving lives, with strength, a lot of ingenuity and professionalism – but, mostly, with courage.”
He thanked the soldiers and said that “there is no alternative to very dense deployments with the ability to be mobile, with the ability to reach the scene of the attack or to be [already] present at the scene to prevent it in real time and to prevent deterioration.”
Border police officers have played perhaps the most crucial role in responding to terrorist attacks, and are regularly first on the scene to neutralize the terrorist. Border police officers have also been targeted in several attacks themselves.
The Prime Minister made it clear that he gives soldiers on the front lines as much support as necessary.
“Do not have any doubt that you have full support from me, the Israeli government and the people to operate more decisively, firstly to save lives and protect yourself,” he said.
Netanyahu said that is not clear when additional safety measures are no longer necessary.
“I cannot tell you how long it will take, there are people here who are ready to die,” he warned, noting that there “is always a small percentage of the population willing to die, to commit suicide” to perpetuate terror.
“We have previously been able to deal with this phenomenon, and even more difficult terror,” he said. “At the moment, because it is not organized, as you know, there is no substitute for your presence and stabilization of the country; you are in fact a human defensive shield.”
“However, you have to protect yourselves – the shield – as well,” he added. “We do not forget that.”
“We have faced other terror waves; we will overcome this wave,” he concluded. “I have no doubts, but I would just like to thank you truly from the heart, from the hearts of the citizens of Israel for the defense you give the citizens of Israel” .
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