The Prime Minister today (Thursday) once again referred, during the inauguration of the train line between Ashkelon and Beer Sheva, to the escalation in Jerusalem and the stone-throwing attacks that took the life of Alex Lubovitch on Rosh Hashanah night.
""In the State of Israel, people will not throw bottles, shoot at trains, or throw stones as they please. Anyone who does this will pay a very heavy price," Netanyahu said. "This is a policy change, I suggest that you treat it accordingly. When I want something - I get it, and I want to change this situation from end to end.".
The event was also attended by Transportation Minister Israel Katz, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Israel Railways Hussam Bishara, Israel Railways CEO Boaz Tzafrir, and mayors and councils of the south.
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Netanyahu took the opportunity to ask his security guards to allow him to travel on the train like any other passenger, so that he could talk to the passengers and enjoy their company.
""I have a request," Netanyahu said. "I want to travel with the passengers. I mean, I really enjoy meeting with my friends, with the Minister of Transportation and the railway management that has worked hard here, and with the mayors who bear the burden and the right to develop the communities and the region, but I insist on this, and I direct it to the security personnel: Let me get on the train with passengers.
""I want to see the passengers, I want to hear them, and I want to travel with them – I think it can pass peacefully, and especially it will pass happily.".
The prime minister's security personnel were less than happy to hear about the idea, and he remained in the company of his entourage.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Transportation and Intelligence, Israel Katz, agreed this morning with the Minister of Finance, Moshe Kahlon, that train passengers from the Negev will receive a 50% discount on the cost of a ticket to travel anywhere in the country, for the next two years.
