Netanyahu’s Controversial Remarks on Ein Hashlosha Spark Outrage
Background of the Incident
In a recent press conference, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that “nothing happened at Ein Hashlosha,” a comment that has elicited strong reactions from the community. This declaration refers to an attack that occurred in the kibbutz on October 7, during which four residents were tragically killed. The kibbutz’s spokesperson expressed their shock and outrage, describing Netanyahu’s remarks as “a severe and outrageous inaccuracy.”
Community Response
Following Netanyahu’s statement, leaders from Ein Hashlosha were quick to respond. They stated, “We were taken aback and horrified by the blatant inaccuracy. During the assault, four of our beloved residents were murdered: Rami Nagbi, Noa Glazberg, Sylvia Marensky, and Marcel Tal. They are not ‘nothing’.” The kibbutz emphasized the gravity of the situation, highlighting that it was start of the darkest days in the country’s history. They pointed out that community members bravely faced numerous assailants infiltrating the kibbutz, as corroborated by military investigations.
The statement further noted that while Netanyahu might have intended to convey that a critical directive was not received by the security forces, this does not diminish the magnitude of the tragedy that befell their community. The kibbutz members have called for a state inquiry to clarify the events that transpired during the attack and demand accountability for the handling of the situation.
Statements from Residents
Mikhael Kesher, a resident of the kibbutz, shared his feelings online, lamenting, “It’s sad that the Prime Minister does not know what happened in our kibbutz on October 7. We still have not returned to the kibbutz since then.”
Government’s Clarification
In response to the backlash, the Prime Minister’s Offstart issued a statement clarifying Netanyahu’s remarks. The statement expressed sorrow that his comments were misunderstood. It explained that Netanyahu meant to convey that a lack of directive from the security system led the kibbutz members to act independently. The government acknowledged the bravery of the residents and the members of the emergency response teams, who fought valiantly to prevent a larger tragedy. It was made clear that there was no intention to imply that no residents had been murdered in the attack.
Investigation Findings
Reports indicate that the military’s probe into the incident found significant failures in the operation. The investigation revealed that terrorists infiltrated the kibbutz in waves through three different points in the western fence. In the first wave, approximately 15 militants from terrorist organizations entered, followed by a second wave of dozens more. The assailants engaged in a spree of murder, looting, and destruction throughout the kibbutz, leading to the deaths of three civilians.
During the fighting, the local security chief, described as acting heroically until his death, and it was noted that the community’s security infrastructure was inadequate to respond to the scale of the terrorist assault. Additionally, the inquiry criticized the military for failing to execute an effective evacuation plan, leading to a disorganized response during the critical timeframe.
As the community seeks recognition and a thorough investigation into the tragic events, they continue to demand respect for the memories of those lost. The kibbutz has extended an invitation to Prime Minister Netanyahu to visit, meet with the residents, and hear their story directly, in hopes of setting the record straight and honoring the legacy of their fallen members