The idea of holding a special press conference was first tossed around the prime minister’s office soon after the stabbing attack took place Oct. 8 in downtown Tel Aviv, right next to the Defense Ministry, the Azrieli Towers and the train station.

It was 3 p.m. The street was bustling with cars and pedestrians. Suddenly, a Palestinian attacked and wounded five passersby with a screwdriver. The ordeal ended when an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) officer who happened to be in the vicinity killed the assailant. “Terrorism Strikes in Tel Aviv” read the headlines of many news sites. For the prime minister and his staff, the incident marked a turning point for the public. An overwhelming sense that personal safety and security had disappeared emerged from the images of the incident and the interviews with eyewitnesses. As soon as he acknowledged this sharp swing in mood, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered a press conference in an attempt to maintain his image as “Mr. Security.”

If there is one field where Netanyahu has proved to be a master of unparalleled talent, it is Israeli public opinion. He has a phenomenal knack for transforming Israelis’ most basic fears into strategy. It is precisely this that helped him win his fourth election to the prime minister’s office just six months ago. As soon as Netanyahu identified the attack in Tel Aviv as a turning point, he responded immediately to the public.

What happened at the press conference should be seen through this prism, since he didn’t actually say anything new. He offered no new vision. What Netanyahu did was appeal directly to the public and especially to worried Israeli mothers, telling them that their concern was natural and that he and the defense establishment “are doing our utmost to restore your security and that of your children, to all Israel.”