Israel will not accept terrorism in its capital Jerusalem, President Reuven Rivlin said on Sunday evening.
Rivlin spoke at the Begin Heritage Center, in a memorial ceremony on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the death of Irgun commander, former Member of Knesset and Ambassador of Israel, Eliyahu Lankin. The Begin Heritage Center is where Temple Mount activist Yehuda Glick was shot last week.
“I want to start my words this evening by extending my continued hope and prayers for the full and speedy recovery of Yehuda Glick, who was shot right here, at the entrance of the Begin Heritage Center,” said Rivlin.
He continued, “The fact, that the would be assassin worked here, is proof of the price that we pay, and will continue to pay for a untied Jerusalem, an open city in which we live together. The attempted murder which took place here, is a yet another serious escalation in the on-going violence and terror in Jerusalem, and marks an attempt to make us fear walking the streets and neighborhoods of the city.”
“Jerusalem is the Capital of the State of Israel, we will continue to develop and build in every part of the city,” he declared.
“We cannot tolerate the terror which exists in the city, and we cannot afford to respond lightly. In order to bring an end to these bloody events in Jerusalem, we must act forcefully, without hesitation, against the perpetrators and terrorist groups,” said Rivlin.
“I have no doubt that the admirable, swift, and proper response, by the Special Police Unit has strengthened the deterrence. Nevertheless, we must continue to work to overcome and fight against the terrorist groups.”
Glick – who founded and heads the LIBA Initiative for Jewish Freedom on the Temple Mount -was shot in the chest on Wednesday night after the shooter pulled up in a motorcycle or scooter, and confirmed Glick’s identity before shooting.
He had been speaking, minutes before being shot, at an event for Jewish rights on the Temple Mount that had hosted leading religious figures and MKs.