Jewish Force MKs Opt Out Of Knesset Votes In Protest Over ‘Feeble Response To Gaza Rocket Fire’

JERUSALEM (VINnews) — During the course of the past day, 104 rockets were launched against the Western Negev and Ashkelon. The IDF retaliated by bombing Hamas targets in the Gaza strip. On Wednesday morning the Israeli government announced that the wave of attacks was over and people could resume their normal lives in the region, but not all of the coalition agreed with the government’s tactics.

The Jewish Force party led by Public Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who was prevented from participating in the security cabinet’s discussions on the response to the rocket fire, announced that its members would not be voting in the Knesset and instead would meet in Sderot “in the wake of the government’s weak response in Gaza last night.”

MK Almog Cohen (Jewish Force) said that “the feeble response of the IDF encourages the next round of rockets which will continue to harm the lives of our children and the fabric of living for the Western Negev and southern regions who have placed their trust in us. I will not allow the pioneers of the Negev and the south to be turned into second-class citizens.”

Another Jewish Force member, Yitzchak Kroizer, called on the government to hold the body of Khader Adnan, the terrorist who died in jail, in return for the remains of Hadar Goldin and Oron Shaul.

Sderot mayor Alon Davidi attacked the government Wednesday, stating that it was giving terrorists immunity and burying its head in the ground. Davidi said that “this policy won’t bring us any security” and recommended to Prime Minister Netanyahu to “go back and read the books he wrote”. David added that  “Islamic Jihad and Hamas are running our lives in the last few months and not one terrorist payed with his life.”