Yuval Diskin
Diskin takes to Twitter to disparage Rabbi's remarks
Former Shin Bet chief says Rabbi Lior inciting crazy ideas, extremism by saying abductions are punishment from God.
Sharp criticism found a voice on Twitter Thursday, where former Shin Bet director Yuval Diskin addressed comments made by Rabbi Dov Lior suggesting that the abduction of three teenagers in the West Bank last week was brought on by what he referred to as Israel's anti-religious laws.
"The rabbi Dov Lior found the reason for the abductions. The creator is punishing us for anti-religious legislation. If that's so then why exactly are the boys observant (Jews)?" asked Diskin in a Tweet.
Former Shin Bet Director Yuval Diskin.
The Rabbi's initial statements came on Wednesday as security forces expanded operation in the West Bank intended to find the three abducted teens Eyal Yifrach, Gil-Ad Shaer and Naftali Frenkel, and bring their kidnappers to justice.
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"If we think that (our) troubles come randomly or from the world and not as a result of our actions, God will punish us for the very thought," said Lior.
"That's how we build a religious ideological infrastructure that invites legitimacy to crazy ideas and extremists," said Diskin in his response on social media.
Meanwhile, military sources noted a rise in tensions Thursday between soldiers and Palestinian civilians who apparently threw rocks and homemade explosives at IDF forces in Jenin. The soldiers answered with live fire.
An estimated 30 additional Palestinians were also arrested by security forces, bringing the total to 280 since three Israeli teens were kidnapped in the West Bank last Friday.
Marking the beginning of the seventh day of operation Brother's Keeper in the West Bank, the overnight arrests included the search of over 100 buildings. Some 200 of those arrested in operations so far are members of Hamas.
