Prime Minister Naftali Bennett faced criticism Wednesday as he paid a condolence visit to the family of slain police anti-terror unit, Noam Raz, who was killed during a raid in Jenin last week.
"You are no better than the terrorist who killed my father, how can you look at yourself in the mirror," Raz's son told Bennett during the visit to the family home in the illegal West Bank outpost of Kida.
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Naftali Bennett during condolence visit to the family of slain police officer Noam Raz on Wednesday
(Photo: Courtesy)
Raz was among the founders of the outpost and lived there with his wife and six sons. He joined the anti-terror force in 1999.
The prime minister was told by the grieving family that his decision to join a coalition with left wing and Arab Knesset factions was a "betrayal".
Raz's son Be'er said the decision has led to the government adopting a policy of not targeting terrorists with missiles during operations in the West Bank, which is putting troops in harm's way.
"You took a wounded terrorist to an Israeli hospital, but my father did not make it there," the son said.
The family said Bennett stole votes to form his coalition after presenting himself as a partner and protector of the settlements.
Daud Zubeidi, the brother of a well know Palestinian militant Zacharia Zubeidi, was wounded in the same Jenin raid and was transported to the Rambam Health Care Center in Haifa by the IDF, where he later died.
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Settlers demonstrate against Naftali Bennett as he pays a condolence call to the family of slain police officer Noam Raz
(Photo: TPS)
Bennett said that a bereaved family of a fallen hero, is entitled to say whatever they want. "It is my job to listen," he said.
"The family of Noam Raz is one of pioneers who are dedicated to Zionism," he said. "They lost Noam who was a rare courageous and modest figure. May his memory be blessed. He will be remembered in our hearts for eternity," the prime minister said.
During his visit, dozens of neighbors from the outpost demonstrated outside.