Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the house of Ruth Fogel's parents in Jerusalem on Sunday where the shiva for the five Fogel family members who were butchered in their beds is taking place. "They murder and we build," Netanyahu told Ruth's parents.
"They say that the Land of Israel is built in agony but we never thought agony would be this great," the prime minister said. "This wicked act has made everyone come out and say: No more. Security forces are doing everything to trace the murderers and we shall catch those criminals. These are not people but monsters. "
He further added, "We're not stupid, we know who we're dealing with." Tamar, the 12-year-old orphan who escaped the attack, then jumped in and said: "Will America do anything to you?"
Netanyahu carried on and said: "They murder, we build. We shall build our land."
Tzila, Udi's mother addressed Netanyahu and said: "Notice how the people love this country. We came from overseas for this country. We can't say goodbye to it, it's impossible. "
Meanwhile, Fatah's military wing, the al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades denied their involvement in the attack after claiming responsibility for it on Saturday. A banner posted by the group said that the murder of children is not part of its ideology. It explained the gap between the claiming of responsibility and the retraction by saying it was checking all its members in the West Bank.
Fogel family funeral (Photo: Gil Yohanan)
President Shimon Peres addressed the Itamar terrorist attack during an induction ceremony held in his residence. "On Saturday, we were shocked to learn of one of the ugliest and most terrible murders of parents and small children in their beds," Peres said. "Our hearts are with the orphans, with the bereaved families and the entire community at this awful moment. I am confident that security forces will leave no stone unturned and catch the perpetrators of this horror and bring justice. Terror will be defeated. It shall not prevail."
Justice Minister Yaakov Ne'eman sent his condolences to the victims' families and said: "No words can describe this heinous crime. We cannot comprehend how any man can take the lives of parents, small children and infants. An entire family. The State of Israel will do everything to bring these cowardly murderers to justice. The people of Israel will emerge stronger from any test they may face."
Laid to rest in Jerusalem. Fogel family funeral (Photo: Gil Yohanan)
Opposition Chairwoman Tzipi Livni said: "The family is the one who paid the most terrible price of all, but there is a partnership that transcends any location. This is not just the settlers' pain but the pain of the entire Israeli society."
In a message to Netanyahu she said: "Some try to use this event in the political arena. We must not do this. We must demand that others in the international community and the Palestinian society condemn this attack and discuss the decisions we must make in relation to a vision. It is not enough to call the world to condemn terror."
Aviad Glickman, Yoav Zitun and Roni Sofer contributed to this report
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