“I hear the criticism. I understand it. But leadership must stand firm and make complex, often difficult decisions … with responsibility, determination and courage. That is how I act, and that is how I will continue to act, with a broad, long-term vision for the national interest of the State of Israel, even when it comes under criticism.”
With these words, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu concluded a post on his Facebook page June 28. In it he explained why he could not include a commitment from Hamas to return from Gaza the bodies of two casualties from the 2014 Operation Protective Edge — Oron Shaul and Hadar Goldin — in the agreement with Turkey.