Every Monday, at the start of the weekly Likud faction meeting in the Knesset, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu makes a statement to the press on a topic or message he wants to promote.

This Monday, March 28, the Internet was flooded with comments in support of a soldier who shot and killed a wounded Palestinian attacker after the attacker was captured. In his remarks to the media, the prime minister expressed empathy and understanding for the soldier. Previously, Netanyahu had expressed reservations about the horrific and shameful act, but when he saw which way the public mood was heading, he decided to align himself with it.

“I heard the words of the father of the soldier," he said. "I have to say that as a father of a soldier, the words touched my heart. IDF [Israel Defense Forces] soldiers, our children, stand before murderous terror attacks by terrorists who come to kill them. They have to make decisions in real time, in field conditions, in stress conditions, in uncertain conditions. I rely 100% on the IDF, on the chief of staff, on the investigation. I trust that the investigation will consider all the conditions that I described, including operational conditions. I am certain that the investigation will be professional and fair toward the soldier."

The text may be short, but it captures Netanyahu’s ability of responding accurately to the public sentiment — which tends toward the right.