Pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues to mount, after his Regional Cooperation Minister Tzachi Hanegbi was strongly rebuked, after calling the over 460 rockets fired by Islamist terrorists from the Gaza Strip toward Israel’s southern communities this week “minor,” while noting that there is a difference between attacking the South of Israel and attacking the country’s major commercial hub, Tel Aviv. Hanegbi’s comments drew widespread condemnation, including from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who was quick to disavow Hanegbi’s comment, calling it “outrageous.” In his words, “This morning I heard an outrageous remark, and even following an apology, I have to put things straight. Sderot is just like Tel Aviv. The security of the residents of the south is just as important as the security of the rest of Israel. We are in the middle of a campaign. Patience, cool and determination are necessary. We are preparing for what comes next. “In an effort to explain his decisions vis-à-vis the presiding ceasefire with the Islamist organizations in Gaza, Prime Minister Netanyahu met last night in his bureau with local council chairmen from the Gaza periphery communities. As part of his attempts to alleviate the tensions with the southern residents of Israel, Netanyahu pledged to promote a plan to bolster the southern communities of the country for the next two years, which will amount to approximately half a billion shekels. Among those attending the meeting were Finance Minister Kahlon, Interior Minister Deri, IDF Chief of Staff Eisenkot and the IDF Southern Command Chief Major General Hertzi Halevy.
While the chairmen of Israel’s southern communities voiced satisfaction at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s explanation and pledge for development, approximately 1,500 residents of southern Israel travelled to Tel Aviv, where they held a protest near the government’s compound. The protester chanted anti-government slogans and demanded to immediately end the ceasefire agreement with Hamas. The protesters also condemned Minister Tzahi Hanegbi’s remarks and demanded to receive the same treatment as the rest of the Jewish State.