Gallant condemns Jewish violence across West Bank in call with PA official

The defense minister told al-Sheikh that security forces will continue to eliminate terrorist threats wherever they may be.

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant attends a recognition ceremony for the IDF reserve soldiers, in the Israeli parliament on June 13, 2023.  (photo credit: YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90)
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant attends a recognition ceremony for the IDF reserve soldiers, in the Israeli parliament on June 13, 2023.
(photo credit: YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90)

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant spoke with Palestinian Authority Civil Affairs Minister Hossein al-Sheikh on Tuesday afternoon, in light of a recent escalation of violence in the West Bank.

According to Maariv, Herzog emphasized the importance of the decisive and vigorous fight against terrorism and also spoke about the terrible cost and pain that terrorism causes.

He also stated that he strongly condemns the actions caused by the Israeli extremists on innocent Palestinians that have been carried out recently.

Gallant, al-Shiekh discuss efforts to restore West Bank calm

According to the statement released by the Defense Ministry following the conversation, the two discussed the increase in terror attacks in recent weeks, and the mutual need to restore calm to the area for the sake of both Israeli and Palestinians.

During the conversation, the defense minister told al-Sheikh that security forces will continue to eliminate terrorist threats wherever they may be and stressed that swift actions must be taken against terrorist groups working to destabilize the region.

Palestinian Authority Civil Affairs Minister Hussein Al-Sheikh speaks to The Media Line in his office in Ramallah. (credit: THE MEDIA LINE)
Palestinian Authority Civil Affairs Minister Hussein Al-Sheikh speaks to The Media Line in his office in Ramallah. (credit: THE MEDIA LINE)

Additionally, Gallant informed the Palestinian Authority official that Israel's security establishment is working to bring the Jewish settlers responsible for the attacks against Palestinians to justice and that the security forces are taking the incidents extremely seriously.

He ended by wishing al-Sheikh a happy Eid al-Adha and said that he hopes the holiday will be an opportunity to strengthen security and stability in the region.

Herzog wishes Abbas happy Eid al Adha in phone call

Herzog on Tuesday telephoned Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to wish him, his people and all Muslims in the region a happy Eid al-Adha.

In the course of their conversation, Herzog said that Palestinian terrorism against Jews and Israelis, in general, must cease, and urged Abbas to use his influence in this direction.

Herzog also condemned attacks by Jewish extremists against residents in Palestinian villages and causing enormous harm to individuals and damage to property.

Greer Fay Cashman contributed to this report.