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Hefetz. Sense of security
Photo: Yaron Brener

Former police commissioner joins Likud

Assaf Hefetz holds joint press conference with opposition leader Netanyahu, says Likud to restore public's feeling of security

Former Police Commissioner Assaf Hefetz officially announced Thursday that he was joining the Likud party.

 

"We will erect an iron wall which will smash the waves of crime and restore the citizens' feeling of security," Hefetz said in a joint press conference with Likud Chairman Benjamin Netanyahu.

 

Hefetz presented his plan for the prevention of crime and hooliganism in Israel and said he was excited to be returning to public action.

 

"In the past few years, the public has slowly been losing its personal safety. I am a father myself, I have a little girl, and the public's fear of violence and hooliganism must stop. This situation must stop, it can be stopped and the citizens' feeling of security can be restored," he stated.

 

"Our plan is difficult and is not easy to implement, but it is based on three important elements: The policeman must be returned to the citizens. It's unthinkable that the police won't answer phone calls. Thousands of police officers on the ground will restore the citizens' feeling of security.

 

"Second, legislation – cruel legislation – against criminals. Third, an intransigent war on crime organization. They cannot dictate the agenda here," Hefetz said of his plan.


Hefetz with Netanyahu (Photo: Yaron Brener)

 

The former police chief admitted that the police "made some good moves", but claimed that the change was far from perfect and that they should imitate the methods of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in the United States.

 

"The Israel Police is my home and I know the people there. They are a great police and we must help them," he said.

 

Asaf Hefetz was appointed Israel's 12th police commissioner in 1994. He left office on the last day of 2007. In March 1978, he was injured while taking over a bus hijacked by terrorists on Israel's coastal highway and was awarded a medal for that operation.

 

Netanyahu: I didn't make any promises

Hefetz took advantage of the opportunity to thank the Likud chairman, saying that "there is a historic opportunity here with Netanyahu running for prime minister. I hope he wins because he is leading a clear agenda of restoring the citizens' safety."

 

Netanyahu was happy to add Hefetz to the series of new and old Likud members running for the 18th Knesset, including Benny Begin, Dan Meridor and Uzi Dayan.

 

"I didn't promise Hefetz any role," the opposition leader clarified. "I asked him to join without being secured on the roster and I made no promises in regards to a ministerial position. I am making no such promises.

 

"I believe we will be able to form a new government with a new direction and an ability to operate in the face of the various crisis situations."

 

According to Netanyahu, "The Likud led by me is committed to a firm war against the wave of crime in Israel. We believe we can change this. We will lead an iron fist policy against crime and hooliganism.

 

"We see the hooliganism in the clubs. We see how elderly people are attacked and how a mother is murdered on the beach. I won't accept this. This is not our fate; this is something we can change with proper policy and leadership."

 

Former Knesset Member Michael Ratzon, who also announced he would be running for a place on the Likud's roster, said in a press conference in Tel Aviv on Thursday, "We should ask ourselves why all the 'stars' are joining the Likud. I believe that some of them believe in the Likud's values, but not all of the. They are joining because the polls show us in a good light."

 

Former Defense Minister Moshe Arens also attended the press conference and announced that he supports Ratzon.

 


פרסום ראשון: 11.13.08, 12:01
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