About two minutes after Netanyahu was introduced, video from the event shows Netanyahu being led away by security as the crowd chants “Bibi, Bibi!”
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The event organizer tells attendees there is a red alert in Ashkelon, warning of incoming rocket fire. He then says there is no need to worry.
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According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), one rocket was fired from Gaza toward Israel and was intercepted by the Iron Dome aerial defense system.
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Netanyahu returned to the stage about 12 minutes later, as the crowd again chants “Bibi!”
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A virtually identical situation occurred before the elections in September. Netanyahu was holding a campaign rally in the city of Ashdod, a few miles north of Ashkelon. Rockets were fired from Gaza into Israel, forcing security to escort Netanyahu off the stage. He returned a short time later to finish his speech.
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Netanyahu responded Wednesday to the rocket fire on Twitter, saying, “He who fired last time is not with us. Whomever who fired this time should pack his belongings.”
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Netanyahu is referring to Palestinian Islamic Jihad commander Baha Abu al-Ata, whom Israel blamed for the September rocket fire. An IDF strike killed him last month.
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No one has claimed responsibility for the rocket fired Wednesday evening.