At around 11:15 we received a report about a terror attack at the entrance
of a mall in Gush Etzion. Our paramedic who was
in the mall at the time heard the incident and offered initial
treatment to a critically wounded (man) who was later evacuated
to Sha'arey Tzedek hospital. At the same time, we treated
the assailant (who was) in stable condition. He was also evacuated
to Hadassah Ein Kerem hospital in recent minutes.
This week we will mark, in synagogues and cemeteries,
Yom Kippur, the holiest day of our people, and the day on which,
45 years ago, we absorbed a bloody attack that cost us
thousands of victims. We must do everything
to prevent war. Its victims destroy the lives
of families and they are a gaping wound in the heart of the nation.
However, if war is forced upon us, we must do everything to win
with minimal losses. Forty-five years ago,
intelligence erred by holding to a mistaken assessment regarding
the war intentions of Egypt and Syria. When these intentions became clear
beyond all doubt, and when the danger was on our very doorstep,
the political leadership made a grievous mistake by not
allowing a pre-emptive strike. We will never repeat this mistake.
Israel is constantly working to prevent our enemies from arming
themselves with advanced weaponry. Our red lines are as sharp as ever
and our determination to enforce them is stronger than ever.