Monday, 12:31 am MDT
Israel Prime Minister Netanyahu, last night, at the start of the Security Cabinet meeting, declared that on the issue of the Temple Mount there is no change in the status quo, nor will there be.
Netanyahu repeated his directive that government ministers not visit the Temple Mount without his approval in advance via his military secretary.
Sunday, 3:09 pm MDT
Following a meeting between Israel Defense Minister Yoav Gallant Meets and US CENTCOM Commander General Michael E. Kurilla, Herzog said: “I discussed the operational and strategic situation in the region with CENTCOM Commander General Kurilla, and reflected on ways to further strengthen interoperability to achieve our common objectives. Israeli and American troops work closely together to deter common threats posed by Iran and its proxies. Together we are stronger.”
Sunday, 6:47 am MDT
Israel President Isaac Herzog today met at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem, with US Ambassador to Israel, Jack Lew. In their meeting, the President commented on the terror attack today at the Allenby Crossing: “I am deeply saddened by the horrific murder of Yuri Birnbaum, Yohanan Shchori and Adrian Marcelo Podsmesser this morning in the abhorrent terror attack at the Allenby Crossing. I send a warm embrace and my heartfelt sympathies to the families of the victims. May they know no more sorrow.
“The peace agreements between Israel and its neighbors are a cornerstone of stability in the region, and we trust all parties will thoroughly investigate the incident and work to prevent future attacks.”
He added, “This horrific act reinforces our resolve to stand firm in the face of terror, and we will continue to fight with determination against terrorism and extremist elements which seek to undermine our security, and the stability of the whole region.”
Herzog stressed to Lew his appreciation for America’s ongoing efforts to secure the release of the 101 hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza. In addition, he expressed his concern for the stability in the region, with Iranian backed terror continuing to threaten Israel on many fronts — especially over the upcoming period of Jewish religious festivals, and the year anniversary of the Hamas massacre of Oct. 7.
Sunday, 4:13 am MDT
Following are Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s remarks at the start of the Government meeting [translated from Hebrew]:
“This is a difficult day. An abhorrent terrorist murdered three of our citizens in cold blood at the Allenby Bridge. On behalf of the Government and myself, I send condolences to the families of those who were murdered.
“We are surrounded by a murderous ideology led by Iran’s axis of evil. In recent days, abhorrent terrorists murdered six of our hostages and three Israel Police officers in cold blood. The murderers do not differentiate between us. They want to murder us all, right and left, secular and religious, Jews and non-Jews, until the last one.
“What prevents the destruction of our people, as in previous times, is the strength of the State of Israel and the power of the IDF: Our soldiers’ spirit of heroism, the police officers, the men and women of our security forces, the supreme sacrifice of our fallen heroes and the stamina of our people — these make all the difference. When we stand together, our enemies cannot overcome us; therefore, their main objective is to divide us and to sow discord among us.
“Last weekend, the German newspaper Bild published an official Hamas document that revealed its action plan: To sow discord among us, to use psychological warfare on the hostages’ families, to apply internal and external political pressure on the Government of Israel, to tear us part from within, and to continue the war until further notice, until Israel is defeated.
“The great majority of Israel’s citizens are not falling into this Hamas trap. They know that we are fully committed to achieving the objectives of the war: To eliminate Hamas, to return all of our hostages, to ensure that Gaza never again constitutes a threat to Israel and to return our residents in the north and south securely to their homes.
“We will stand together. We will wield the sword of David together and with G-d’s help, we will win.
“One more word. There are those who ask – ‘Shall the sword devour forever?’ [II Samuel 2:26]. In the Middle East, without the sword, there is no ‘forever’.”
