National Missions Minister Orit Struck sharply criticized the heads of Israel’s security establishments on Monday morning for condemning the settler riots and attacks against West Bank Palestinians that occurred throughout the last week.
Struck compared their condemnation to the internal rebellion of the Wagner group in Russia.
In an interview given to Kol Barama Radio, Struck declared that: “The Chief of Staff, the Commissioner, and the head of the Shin Bet issued a joint statement on Jewish nationalist terrorism. Who are you, the Wagner force?
“Who are you to issue such a statement under the nose of the government? Are they going to teach us morals? I am against these events, but calling it Jewish nationalist terrorism is a shame and disgrace.”
Criticism mounts over comparison to the Wagner group
In response to Struck’s comments, National Unity party leader Benny Gantz, expressed strong disapproval, calling for Struck’s dismissal.
YESH ATID head MK Yair Lapid and National Unity head MK Benny Gantz seen in happier times and last month, in the Knesset. (credit: YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90)“The comparison made by the heads of the security forces to the Wagner group is a moral disgrace and undermines the security of the country. Netanyahu must dismiss Orit Struck today,” he said.
“Every minute she remains in office is a message of security negligence, encouragement to anarchists, and harm to the IDF, the Shin Bet, and the Israeli police. Condemnations are not enough; action is required. It is time to put an end to the anarchy that undermines the security of the State of Israel.”
Former Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition, Yair Lapid, also joined the chorus of criticism declaring that: “A minister in Israel who compares the Chief of Staff, the Commissioner, and the head of the Shin Bet to hired rebellious swordsmen is unworthy and cannot sit in the government of Israel.
“Netanyahu must stop the madness and rein in his irresponsible and bizarre ministers. The citizens of Israel owe their lives to Herzi Halevi, Kobi Shabtai, and Ronen Bar, the heroes and guardians of Israel.”
Following the backlash, National Missions Minister Orit Struck issued an apology, stating, “The expression ‘Wagner force‘ is incorrect, and I apologize for it. It came up in the conversation due to its presence in the news, but it is completely inappropriate.
“I apologize and ask for forgiveness! I do not retract my substantive criticism that our security establishment leaders, who are dedicated and deserving of respect as they are, should not be moral judges but rather producers of security.”
Settler riots raise concerns of escalating tensions
The settler riots in the West Bank have been marked by incidents of violence and vandalism. One such incident occurred in the village of Orif, where masked rioters were seen entering a mosque, taking a Koran, and tearing its pages out before throwing it into the street.
The damage caused to Palestinian homes and cars by Jewish settlers in the West Bank village of Turmus Aya, on June 21, 2023. (credit: NASSER ISHTAYEH/FLASH90)The riots broke out the day after four Israelis were killed and another four were wounded in a shooting attack by two terrorists at a gas station outside of the West Bank settlement of Eli on Tuesday afternoon.
During the violence, Israeli settlers and hilltop youth set fire to cars, wheat fields and homes belonging to Palestinians in the West Bank town of Turmus Aiya in what was suspected to be an organized ‘price tag’ attack.
In the same incident, at least twelve Palestinians were injured and one killed.
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