Ministers back IDF chief of staff, but wave of terror continues

Speaking at Israel's weekly Cabinet meeting on Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu expressed his backing for the IDF chief of staff, Lieut. Gen. Gadi Eisenkot, who has faced criticism since saying last week that there is no need for soldiers to empty their magazines into a Palestinian girl who carries out a stabbing attack with a scissors, and that he expects soldiers to exercise proper judgment. Netanyahu said the chief of staff had "stated the obvious." This directive is standard for IDF and other security officers and not subject to debate. Earlier, Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz and Internal Security Minister Gilad Erdan had criticized Eisenkot over the statement, saying they hoped it would not make soldiers hesitant to open fire if needed. Finance Minister Moshe Kachlon said during the meeting that he sleeps well at night knowing that Eisenkot is the chief of staff.
DEBKAfile: Perhaps Kachlon sleeps well because he is protected like the prime minister and other ministers. Among ordinarty citizens, however, the Palestinian wave of terror continues unabated.