Dichter. Killings good
Photo: Eli Elgarat
Dichter: Zeevi's killers in jail or in grave
Former Shin Bet head says minister's killers will never enjoy freedom; voices support for IDF's assassination policy
Avi Dichter, former Shin Bet head and Kadima's candidate for the position of defense minister, pledged Monday that the killers of Minister Rehavam Zeevi, who are currently jailed in the Palestinian Authority, will not enjoy freedom.
Referring to reports a Hamas-led government may release Zeevi's murderers, Dicter said: "I recommend to the Palestinian Authority not to release these men. I vow these killers will be either in prison or in the grave. There is no other option for them."
Speaking before high school students in Tel Aviv, Dichter also said, "Israel could have sent an F-16 plane to target the prison, but we don't wish to harm innocent people."
When asked about his position regarding Israel's targeted killing policy, the former Shin Bet director said he believes assassinations are the proper strategy.
"Let there be no mistake, we are talking about murderers and arch-murderers here. The targeted killings are aimed at protecting Israeli citizens, and we take great measures to make sure no civilians are hurt in the process," Dichter stressed.
"However, I regret incidents in which our hesitation about hurting civilians enabled terrorists to escape and later carry out attacks against Israelis," he added.
Turning his attention to a recent incident during which IDF soldiers shot rubber bullets at an Israeli anarchist teen at a demonstration to protest the construction of the security fence, Dichter said that to some extent the youth brought it on himself.
"It's a shame the boy was wounded, and I lament that, but I can't understand why people disrupt security forces to carry out their job. This shouldn't have happened, but a person standing alongside a group of people who throw stones at security forces should not play dumb," Dichter said.
