Israeli Defense Minister Gantz speaks with Palestinian Authority president amid terror wave during Ramadan
Gantz promised Abbas more "civilian measures" that would benefit the Palestinians – as long as security stability is not undermined
Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz spoke with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday, in the first phone call since the onset of the recent wave of deadly terror attacks in Israel.
Gantz wished Abbas and the Palestinian people a blessed month of Ramadan and, according to a statement from the defense minister’s office, said the holiday should be marked by “peace and quiet” not terror.
Ramadan, the Muslim fasting month, tends to lead to inflamed tensions in the region between Muslims and Jews.
Referring to recent terror attacks that took the lives of 11 Israeli citizens over the past two weeks, Gantz emphasized that “Israel will continue to take the measures necessary to prevent attacks and to defend its citizens.”
He also thanked Abbas for his rare condemnation of one of the attacks. The terror attack in Bnei Brak was carried out by a Palestinian resident, while the other two attacks were carried out by Arab citizens of Israel.
Gantz said Israel would continue to expand measures that would benefit the Palestinians – during and after the month of Ramadan – in accordance with the security situation.
Earlier on Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minster Naftali Bennett said that Israel is taking “aggressive action” in order to root out terror and stop attacks.
The All Israel News Staff is a team of journalists in Israel.
