Bennett slams Livni's approach to peace against backdrop of Paris attack

"The French are now learning what Israel has long known: that it is impossible to live among terrorists," says Yishai.

By LAHAV HARKOV
Naftali Bennett (photo credit: REUTERS)
Naftali Bennett
(photo credit: REUTERS)
Bayit Yehudi leader Naftali Bennett and Hatnua leader Tzipi Livni sparred over the proper response to terrorism following Wednesday's attack against the Paris offices of a weekly satirical magazine, which killed at least 12 people.
Speaking at an event in Rishon Lezion, Livni said the attack is one on the entire free world, including Israel.
"We do not talk or reconcile with terrorism, we fight an uncompromising all-out war against it, here, in France or anywhere else in the world," she stated at the city's College of Management Academic Studies.
Speaking at the same event, Bayit Yehudi leader Naftali Bennett slammed Livni, saying she "talked about the occupation and diplomatic isolation, and I wondered why she didn't get on a plane to Paris to solve their problems? Maybe she can run their negotiations, offer them a diplomatic horizon, tell them there's a solution.
"Offer them to stop the occupation for peace, tell them to apologize for the caricature; that always works," Bennett sarcastically suggested to Livni. "Tell them that you make peace with your enemies, that they have a partner. Maybe they can divide Paris and give it to Muslim fundamentalists." Bennett wondered what else needs to happen for the world to wake up: "Do they not understand that a terrorist who runs over a baby in Jerusalem and a terrorist in Paris are the same, Muslim fundamentalists?"
Following Bennett's speech, Livni posted on Facebook that she stands with the French people against Islamic terrorism, as opposed to Bennett "who is not ashamed to dance on the blood of innocent people for political gain."
According to Livni, Bennett's attitude increases hatred toward Israel and its diplomatic isolation.
"The attack in Paris strengthens the need for a strong international coalition against terrorism in which we have a key role. Unfortunately, Bennett and his partner are distancing us from such a coalition. Thank God, this situation will change in 68 days," she wrote.
Mocking the Bayit Yehudi's "no apologies" slogan, Livni added that Bennett does not need to say sorry to  her, but he should apologize to the French people.
According to Yachad Ha'am Itanu leader Eli Yishai, the French are now learning what Israel has long known: that it is impossible to live among terrorists.
"Behind all the nice words in the UN hide animals," Yishai said. "The world must back Israel in its uncompromising war against terror. A weak hand by us will bring a gun to our heads from them. Today, Paris is further proof of that."
Avraham Azoulay, a Bayit Yehudi primary candidate and publisher of French-language weekly in Israel Le Petit Hebdo, sent his condolences to all of the victims.
"Today it was proven again that the war against murderous terrorism by Muslim extremists is a war between good and evil, between liberty and hatred and between democracy and terror," he said. "Whoever attacks a newspaper is attacking the value of freedom of expression and the foundations of our civilization."
Azoulay called France's support for the Palestinians' recent UN Security Council bid a clear surrender to terrorism and said the country must take Israel, America, Germany, Australia and Canada's side against radical Islam if it wants peace.
French lawmaker Meir Habib, who lives in Israel and France and holds the parliamentary seat representing French citizens living abroad, called the attack "the worst France has ever seen."
"For months, I have been warning that Jihad is spreading in Europe and France. Unfortunately, people always close their eyes. When there were calls of 'death to the Jews' in the heart of Paris, people blamed Israel. Today, everyone sees the writing on the wall," he stated.
According to Habib, the attack on Charlie Hebdo is not a lone event, but part of a war against the West. He called to fight against the jihad taking place in the heart of France.
"Israel was always at the fore in fighting extremist jihadis, but instead of supporting Israel, France recognized a Palestinian state," he added. "European states and the free world must unite to destroy terrorism.