(JNS) Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich is calling for the establishment of security zones to protect Israeli communities in Yehuda and Shomron from the threat of Palestinian terrorism.

In a letter sent to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Sunday, November 5, the head of the Religious Zionism Party, who is also a minister in the Defense Ministry, demanded that they convene an urgent session of the Political-Security Cabinet to discuss the “continuing insecurity” of the residents of Yehuda and Shomron.

In the letter, Smotrich calls to “create wide security areas around settlements and roads, and prevent Arabs from approaching them.”

This, he argues, “is important for at least three reasons: First, security and preventing the approach of Arabs who might use this for terrorist attacks. Second, a sense of security given the great sensitivity of the public and the recruitment of many men into the reserves, which leaves women and children alone. Third, the prevention of friction that could lead to a flare-up of the sector, which [could cause] us great international damage.”

“I will not allow additional blood to be spilled due to the insistence on not changing distorted perceptions and not internalizing the lessons of the Simchat Torah massacre events,” he tweeted.