Liberman halts the return of terrorist bodies

Visiting the site of the attack before the meeting, Liberman promised a strong response. “Rest assured I have no intention of simply relying on strong words.”

By TOVAH LAZAROFF
Updated: JUNE 9, 2016 20:03
Yisrael Beytenu’s Avigdor Liberman (photo credit: REUTERS)
Yisrael Beytenu’s Avigdor Liberman
(photo credit: REUTERS)
Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman halted the return of terrorist bodies to their families in response to Wednesday’s attack that claimed four lives.
His predecessor, Moshe Ya’alon, had opposed such a policy which had already been periodically put in place over the last seven months.
The IDF believes that it inflames tensions among Palestinians in the West Bank, rather than reduces them.
Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan said he welcomed the news.
Liberman issued the order after a special cabinet meeting on Thursday, in which ministers also spoke of the need to speed up the time it took to demolish terrorist homes.
Ministers also heard a report on measures the IDF had already taken.
A closure was imposed on the South Hebron Hills village of Yatta, where the two terrorists had lived.
The IDF rescinded permits to work in Israel that had been given to all members of their immediate and extended families.
Visitor permits for 83,000 Palestinians in the West Bank to visit Israel during the Ramadan holiday were also rescinded.
The IDF said funds to close the gaps in the security barrier in the area of Tarkumia, near Hebron, had already been set aside and that work would begin soon.
It’s believed that the two terrorists left the West Bank through that area.
Until the gap in that area is closed, the IDF plans to post more soldiers in that area.
Visiting the site of the attack before the meeting, Liberman promised a strong response. “Rest assured I have no intention of simply relying on strong words.”