Bennett: ‘Our new rule is, whoever sends attackers, pays’

Addressing Iran’s attempts to harm Israelis abroad, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett calls on citizens to “show personal responsibility.”

JNS

 Naftali Bennett leads a Cabinet meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office in Jerusalem on June 19, 2022. Photo by Alex Kolomoisky/POOL.
(June 19, 2022 / JNS)

Israel will strike “whoever sends” attackers against Israelis, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said on Sunday.[/caption]

In his opening remarks to the weekly Cabinet meeting, the Israeli premier said that the country’s security services were working to thwart attacks before they occur, but added that Israel would not stop at prevention.

“We are currently witnessing Iranian attempts to attack Israelis in various overseas locations,” said Bennett. “Our new rule is: Whoever sends [the attackers]—pays,” said Bennett.

The prime minister reiterated warnings to Israeli citizens to avoid non-essential travel to Turkey, particularly to Istanbul, adding, “The danger is still great. I call on the citizens of Israel to show personal responsibility and safeguard their security.”

Addressing recent incidents in Gaza and southern Israel, Bennett said, “Unlike in the past we no longer make excuses for the terrorists, neither are we defining them as breakaway factions or electrical mishaps. As far as we are concerned, Hamas is the address.”