Israel’s Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan stated on Wednesday that he intends to encourage Israeli settlers to carry arms for their personal safety during the inauguration ceremony of the new firearms licensing bureau in the city of Ramla.
“We’ll do this to supply better personal safety to all Israeli citizens” said Erdan.
Erdan stressed that he feels this move to be necessary in light of the recent inter-Palestinian reconciliation agreement between the Ramallah-based Fatah party and the Gaza-based Hamas party.
“Fatah has only been part of incitements and paying of terrorists” claimed Erdan.
“Unfortunately we’re not heading toward a better place” said Erdan. “Today we’re talking about a terrorist government comprised of the Palestinian Authority Fatah and Hamas. We will no doubt find ourselves in even more complex situation and waves of severe incitement which will lead to more terrorists deciding to carry out attacks.”
“We’ll enlarge the number of license carriers so that as many qualified citizens with the necessary background would be willing to take it upon themselves to train and keep them in the required fitness level” added Erdan.
Observers say Erdan’s comments are a new excuse meant to lead negotiations to a deadlock since Israel has never wanted the West Bank to reconnect with Gaza.
Erdan’s words echoed similar statements made by other Israeli officials on Tuesday when the Israeli security cabinet decided that Israel will not negotiate with the Palestinians until Hamas is disarmed among other conditions.
