Dichter: House demolitions key deterrent against terror

Internal security minister says east Jerusalem residents shouldn't be vilified 'because of two lone terrorists,' adds Olmert won't be able to stay on as PM following Kadima primaries

Yonat Atlas
Published: 07.05.08, 14:04 / Israel News

"The demolition of terrorists' homes is a key component of Israel's deterrence," Internal Security Minister Avi Dichter said in reference to the calls to raze the east Jerusalem home of Hossam Dawyyat, the bulldozer driver who killed three people in the capital on Wednesday.

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Speaking at a cultural forum in Beersheba, Dichter backed Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's position, according to which the Palestinian residents of east Jerusalem cannot be separated from the rest of the capital.

"We mustn't vilify all of east Jerusalem's residents because of two terrorists who acted alone," he said, referring to Dawyyat and Alaa Abu Dheim, the terrorist behind the March 6 attack at the Mercaz Harav rabbinical seminary in Jerusalem, which left eight people dead and at least 15 wounded.

Dichter admitted that his decision not to cut short a press conference he held while the terror attack in Jerusalem was taking place was wrong, saying it stemmed from "a very unfortunate coincidence".

Turning his attention to the Kadima primary elections, scheduled for September 25, the internal security minister, who will apparently be among those running for party chairmanship, said "(despite the investigation launched against him), Olmert hinted that he plans on running in the primaries, but he cannot stay on as prime minister after the elections are held – it wouldn't be right."

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