Speaking on Channel 2's Meet the Press following a series of protests and verbal attacks against his subordinate, who heads the Israel Defense Forces Judea and Samaria Division, Mizrahi said, The attacks on Alon and his family have crossed the line in all possible ways. We will not be deterred and we will continue to do our job, Mizrahi added. Right-wing extremists began picketing Alon's home and subjecting him and his family to verbal threats and insults following the leak of a confidential memo in which Alon called on the Israel Defense Forces to keep more religious soldiers out of the loop before settler evacuation operations, so that they would not have the opportunity to tip off settlers about the upcoming operation. Defense Minister Ehud Barak last week filed a formal request to examine all legal means, including emergency defense statutes, to protect Alon and his family. I am sure that the state law enforcement will find the right way to deal with the people involved, Mizrahi told Channel 2. We are pursuing all possible avenues to determine who those people are and to bring them to trial. The Channel 2 interview discussed the possibility that right-wing extremists might shoot the soldiers and commanders assigned to defend their communities. We are preparing for all possible developments on the ground, Mizrahi said. We seek to defend the settlements in Judea and Samaria; settlements are not our enemy. The individuals who attack law enforcement officials are few and far between, and they must be dealt with. IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz condemned the attacks against Alon and expressed his confidence in the Judea and Samaria Brigade Commander. Alon is an accomplished officer who has devoted his life to the security of Israel and its citizens, and he will continue to do so in the future, Gantz said. I reject the accusations and harassment directed at him, as well as against any officer, in every sense of the word. It is unacceptable to compromise the authority of IDF commanders. Alon has said that he has no plans to alter his daily routine in light of the attacks.
