28 apr 2015
A group of Israeli settlers damaged water pipes serving Palestinians in Hebron's Old City on Tuesday, locals said.Mufid al-Sharabati, a resident of Shuhada street, told Ma'an that a group of settlers deliberately made holes in the plastic water pipes providing water to Palestinian homes.
The burst pipes caused water to flow into the street, with Palestinian residents calling on the municipality to quickly fix the damage.
Israel started restricting access to Shuhada street after Israeli settler Baruch Goldstein broke into the Ibrahimi Mosque and shot dead 29 Palestinians in 1994.Israel closed the road during the Second Intifada, and a military checkpoint restricts Palestinian access to the area.
The burst pipes caused water to flow into the street, with Palestinian residents calling on the municipality to quickly fix the damage.
Israel started restricting access to Shuhada street after Israeli settler Baruch Goldstein broke into the Ibrahimi Mosque and shot dead 29 Palestinians in 1994.Israel closed the road during the Second Intifada, and a military checkpoint restricts Palestinian access to the area.
The Israeli Occupation Forces stormed at dawn Tuesday Nablus and Balata refugee camp to the east of the city.
A number of military vehicles broke into the city and deployed in different neighborhoods and streets which led to the outbreak of violent clashes.
Teargas grenades and sound bombs were heavily fired during the clashes, while local youths, in response, stoned the storming forces.
The Israeli forces also broke into Balata refugee camp, while no arrests were carried out.
A tight security cordon was earlier imposed around the city of Nablus, while a curfew was declared in Hawara town after a settler was injured when his car was hit with a Molotov cocktail.
Meanwhile, a fire sparked by an Israeli military drill swept across thousands of dunums of Palestinian farmland in the northern Jordan valley in Tubas on Monday.
Thousands of dunums of farmland in the Humsa area of eastern Tubas district were affected by the fire after Israeli forces opened fire during a military exercise.
Civil defense crews arrived from Qalqiliya and Nablus to fight the fire but were prevented from reaching the area as Israel had declared it a closed military zone.
A number of military vehicles broke into the city and deployed in different neighborhoods and streets which led to the outbreak of violent clashes.
Teargas grenades and sound bombs were heavily fired during the clashes, while local youths, in response, stoned the storming forces.
The Israeli forces also broke into Balata refugee camp, while no arrests were carried out.
A tight security cordon was earlier imposed around the city of Nablus, while a curfew was declared in Hawara town after a settler was injured when his car was hit with a Molotov cocktail.
Meanwhile, a fire sparked by an Israeli military drill swept across thousands of dunums of Palestinian farmland in the northern Jordan valley in Tubas on Monday.
Thousands of dunums of farmland in the Humsa area of eastern Tubas district were affected by the fire after Israeli forces opened fire during a military exercise.
Civil defense crews arrived from Qalqiliya and Nablus to fight the fire but were prevented from reaching the area as Israel had declared it a closed military zone.
Archive Photo
Palestinian medical sources have reported that a child was moderately injured, in Yatta town, south of the southern West Bank city of Hebron, after being hit by an Israeli settler’s car.
The sources said the Shehda Mahmoud al-‘Amour, five years of age, was struck in Khallet al-Mayya area, in Yatta town, south of Hebron.
The Israeli settler tried to drive away after wounding the child, but local residents managed to stop him, before the army arrived at the scene.
Red Crescent medics provided the wounded child with the urgently needed treatment, before he was moved to an Israeli hospital for further treatment.
There have been hundreds of "hit and run" incidents that largely went uninvestigated by the Israeli authorities, in different parts of the occupied West Bank, even though many of those incidents led to fatalities.
One of those incidents is the case of Enas Dar Khalil, five years of age, who was killed in 2014, and the settler who killed her fled the scene.
Related:
Palestinian Injured After Being Rammed By An Israeli Car In Hebron
Israeli Settler Runs Over Palestinian Child in Tulkarem
Child Seriously Injured After Being Struck By Settler’s Car In Hebron
Israeli Settler Runs Over Hebron Child With Car
Child Injured After Being Rammed By Settler’s Car Near Hebron
Bethlehem Area: 3 Palestinian Youth Kidnapped, Settler Runs Over Teen
Palestinian Child Dies of Wounds Inflicted by Settler Car
Another Palestinian Hit by Israeli Settler Car
Yet Another Settler Hit and Run on Hebron Child
Palestinian medical sources have reported that a child was moderately injured, in Yatta town, south of the southern West Bank city of Hebron, after being hit by an Israeli settler’s car.
The sources said the Shehda Mahmoud al-‘Amour, five years of age, was struck in Khallet al-Mayya area, in Yatta town, south of Hebron.
The Israeli settler tried to drive away after wounding the child, but local residents managed to stop him, before the army arrived at the scene.
Red Crescent medics provided the wounded child with the urgently needed treatment, before he was moved to an Israeli hospital for further treatment.
There have been hundreds of "hit and run" incidents that largely went uninvestigated by the Israeli authorities, in different parts of the occupied West Bank, even though many of those incidents led to fatalities.
One of those incidents is the case of Enas Dar Khalil, five years of age, who was killed in 2014, and the settler who killed her fled the scene.
Related:
Palestinian Injured After Being Rammed By An Israeli Car In Hebron
Israeli Settler Runs Over Palestinian Child in Tulkarem
Child Seriously Injured After Being Struck By Settler’s Car In Hebron
Israeli Settler Runs Over Hebron Child With Car
Child Injured After Being Rammed By Settler’s Car Near Hebron
Bethlehem Area: 3 Palestinian Youth Kidnapped, Settler Runs Over Teen
Palestinian Child Dies of Wounds Inflicted by Settler Car
Another Palestinian Hit by Israeli Settler Car
Yet Another Settler Hit and Run on Hebron Child
27 apr 2015
A group of settlers chopped down Monday dozens of grape trees in Halhoul town to the north of al-Khalil.
Local activist in settlement file Mohamed Awad affirmed that a group of Jewish settlers from the nearby illegal settlement of Karmi Tsur destroyed and cut down 85 Palestinian-owned grape trees planted four years ago.
The local farmer Hassan Aqel filed a complaint with Israeli police after he was surprised this morning that settlers have violently stormed his land and uprooted 85 grape trees, Awad added.
The settlers also chopped off about 30 olive trees and a number of almond trees planted in a nearby land belonging to another local.
Israeli settlers' frequent attacks against Palestinian agricultural lands and properties aim at confiscating them in favor of settlement expansion.
Local activist in settlement file Mohamed Awad affirmed that a group of Jewish settlers from the nearby illegal settlement of Karmi Tsur destroyed and cut down 85 Palestinian-owned grape trees planted four years ago.
The local farmer Hassan Aqel filed a complaint with Israeli police after he was surprised this morning that settlers have violently stormed his land and uprooted 85 grape trees, Awad added.
The settlers also chopped off about 30 olive trees and a number of almond trees planted in a nearby land belonging to another local.
Israeli settlers' frequent attacks against Palestinian agricultural lands and properties aim at confiscating them in favor of settlement expansion.
A number of extremist Israeli settlers, living in the Eliezer illegal colony, invaded, Monday, a Palestinian orchard in the al-Khader town, south of Bethlehem, and uprooted more than 50 olive saplings.
Coordinator of the Popular Committee against the Wall and Settlements in al-Khader Ahmad Salah said the extremists invaded “Thagret Hammad” area, adjacent to the illegal settlement, and uprooted the saplings before taking them away.
The invaded orchard belongs to a local farmer identified as Mohammad Ibrahim Ghneim.
Salah stated that the same orchard was recently subject to a similar attack that led to uprooting at least 50 olive saplings, and added that both soldiers and Israeli extremists have been escalating their attacks against the residents and their lands.
Earlier Monday, Israeli extremists uprooted dozens of olive and almond trees, and grapevines, in Wadi al-Amir area, in Halhoul town, north of the southern West Bank city of Hebron.
Coordinator of the Popular Committee against the Wall and Settlements in al-Khader Ahmad Salah said the extremists invaded “Thagret Hammad” area, adjacent to the illegal settlement, and uprooted the saplings before taking them away.
The invaded orchard belongs to a local farmer identified as Mohammad Ibrahim Ghneim.
Salah stated that the same orchard was recently subject to a similar attack that led to uprooting at least 50 olive saplings, and added that both soldiers and Israeli extremists have been escalating their attacks against the residents and their lands.
Earlier Monday, Israeli extremists uprooted dozens of olive and almond trees, and grapevines, in Wadi al-Amir area, in Halhoul town, north of the southern West Bank city of Hebron.
A number of Israeli extremists cut and uprooted, Monday, dozens of olive and almond trees, and grapevines, in Wadi al-Amir area, in Halhoul town, north of the southern West Bank city of Hebron. Army demolished four residential structures in the Jordan Valley.
Resident Hasan ‘Aqel told the Palestinian News & Info Agency (WAFA) that the Israelis came from Kermei Tzur illegal colony, built on Palestinian lands, north of Hebron.
He added that fanatics infiltrated into his farmlands before cutting and uprooting 85 grape vines, and uprooted more than 30 olive and almond trees belonging to Khalil ‘Aqel.
‘Aqel stated that his agricultural lands, and various surrounding lands, have been subject to frequent similar attacks, as the settlers are trying to expand their illegal colony.
On Monday morning, soldiers demolished four residential structures in the al-Jiftlik village, in the Jordan Valley.
The army claimed the area was a closed military zone.
Head of the al-Jiftlik village council Othman al-‘Amouz said the destruction left 30 residents homeless, and that the structures belong to Fathi Abed Tariq, Mohammad Yacoub D’eis and his brother Mahmoud.
Resident Hasan ‘Aqel told the Palestinian News & Info Agency (WAFA) that the Israelis came from Kermei Tzur illegal colony, built on Palestinian lands, north of Hebron.
He added that fanatics infiltrated into his farmlands before cutting and uprooting 85 grape vines, and uprooted more than 30 olive and almond trees belonging to Khalil ‘Aqel.
‘Aqel stated that his agricultural lands, and various surrounding lands, have been subject to frequent similar attacks, as the settlers are trying to expand their illegal colony.
On Monday morning, soldiers demolished four residential structures in the al-Jiftlik village, in the Jordan Valley.
The army claimed the area was a closed military zone.
Head of the al-Jiftlik village council Othman al-‘Amouz said the destruction left 30 residents homeless, and that the structures belong to Fathi Abed Tariq, Mohammad Yacoub D’eis and his brother Mahmoud.
Israeli police allowed the arrangement of the annual flag dance march in the Islamic neighborhood in occupied East Jerusalem within the celebration of the so-called “Jerusalem Day”.
The Israeli police decision was made despite the events that occurred in last year’s march which witnessed racist chants and violence against Palestinians.
The Haaretz Hebrew newspaper revealed on Monday that the Israeli police enforces curfew for hours to secure the march in which settlers usually chant slogans such as “death to the Arabs” and “Mohammad died”.
The settlers also carry out provocative violent aggressive practices such as hitting the windows and doors of Palestinian houses and shops as well as breaking the locks of commercial shops.
Several human rights societies filed with the Israeli police a request to block the flag march and warned of dangerous violent events. The Israeli legal adviser in Jerusalem, however, endorsed the march under the pretext of freedom of expression.
For his part, the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem and Palestine Sheikh Mohammad Hussein warned of the consequences of this decision, saying “this march is another form of the religious war against Palestinians which is going to increase tension in the entire region”.
He said this goes in line with the Israeli extremism adopted by Israeli authorities which aims at taking over East Jerusalem along with its holy shrines.
In a similar context, Sheikh Hussein condemned the killing of Ali Abu Ghannam and Mahmoud Abu Jhaisheh in cold blood by Israeli policemen and soldiers.
He also called on the local and international institutions and authorities including the UNESCO to intervene to halt the Israeli increasing aggressive practices against the Palestinian people and holy sites.
The Israeli police decision was made despite the events that occurred in last year’s march which witnessed racist chants and violence against Palestinians.
The Haaretz Hebrew newspaper revealed on Monday that the Israeli police enforces curfew for hours to secure the march in which settlers usually chant slogans such as “death to the Arabs” and “Mohammad died”.
The settlers also carry out provocative violent aggressive practices such as hitting the windows and doors of Palestinian houses and shops as well as breaking the locks of commercial shops.
Several human rights societies filed with the Israeli police a request to block the flag march and warned of dangerous violent events. The Israeli legal adviser in Jerusalem, however, endorsed the march under the pretext of freedom of expression.
For his part, the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem and Palestine Sheikh Mohammad Hussein warned of the consequences of this decision, saying “this march is another form of the religious war against Palestinians which is going to increase tension in the entire region”.
He said this goes in line with the Israeli extremism adopted by Israeli authorities which aims at taking over East Jerusalem along with its holy shrines.
In a similar context, Sheikh Hussein condemned the killing of Ali Abu Ghannam and Mahmoud Abu Jhaisheh in cold blood by Israeli policemen and soldiers.
He also called on the local and international institutions and authorities including the UNESCO to intervene to halt the Israeli increasing aggressive practices against the Palestinian people and holy sites.
26 apr 2015
Jewish extremist groups stormed on Sunday the plazas of the Aqsa Mosque from the Magharebah gate under tight security measures by heavily armed Israeli police and Special Forces.
In press statements, one of the Mosque’s guards said 18 settlers provocatively stormed the plazas of the Aqsa Mosque and tried to tour its courtyards but the Muslim worshipers confronted them.
The Israeli policemen stationed at the various gates of the Mosque tightened the security measures against the Palestinian worshipers especially the Jerusalemites who enter the Mosque.
The repeated incursions of settlers into the Mosque amid Israeli police protection are seen as attempts to take control over the holy site.
A state of Israeli military alert prevailed in Occupied Jerusalem as Special Forces were deployed around the city to guard against any confrontations that may erupt especially in the wake of killing a Palestinian minor at one of Israeli checkpoints at dawn Saturday.
In a similar context, an Israeli court decided on Sunday to bar three Palestinian women from entering the Aqsa Mosque for 45 days.
Media sources revealed that the Israeli court imposed fines estimated at 500 shekels in addition to a third party bail estimated at 5000 shekels.
The Israeli policemen rounded up the three women on Thursday in the Aqsa Mosque. They were released in the evening on the condition to attend a trial on Sunday morning.
In press statements, one of the Mosque’s guards said 18 settlers provocatively stormed the plazas of the Aqsa Mosque and tried to tour its courtyards but the Muslim worshipers confronted them.
The Israeli policemen stationed at the various gates of the Mosque tightened the security measures against the Palestinian worshipers especially the Jerusalemites who enter the Mosque.
The repeated incursions of settlers into the Mosque amid Israeli police protection are seen as attempts to take control over the holy site.
A state of Israeli military alert prevailed in Occupied Jerusalem as Special Forces were deployed around the city to guard against any confrontations that may erupt especially in the wake of killing a Palestinian minor at one of Israeli checkpoints at dawn Saturday.
In a similar context, an Israeli court decided on Sunday to bar three Palestinian women from entering the Aqsa Mosque for 45 days.
Media sources revealed that the Israeli court imposed fines estimated at 500 shekels in addition to a third party bail estimated at 5000 shekels.
The Israeli policemen rounded up the three women on Thursday in the Aqsa Mosque. They were released in the evening on the condition to attend a trial on Sunday morning.
Extremist Jewish groups of settlers attacked at dawn Sunday the houses of Palestinians in al-Khalil city in the southern West Bank. Meanwhile, Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) stormed Aroub refugee camp to the north of the city.
Local sources revealed that extremist settlers attacked houses in the Old City of al-Khalil and tried to assault its residents.
The settlers also assaulted a number of citizens in the city in the wake of stabbing an Israeli soldier by a Palestinian man, killed immediately by the IOF soldiers, near al-Haram al-Ibrahimi Mosque on Saturday.
On the other hand, the Israeli forces raided the Aroub camp and handed summonses to a number of Palestinian youths.
Local sources said the IOF stormed the camp and soldiers broke into Palestinians’ homes for search purposes amid intimidation of its residents. They delivered summonses to a number of young men to be questioned at the Israeli intelligence headquarters.
The Israeli forces were heavily deployed at the entrances of the Aroub refugee camp during the storming operation, the sources added.
Local sources revealed that extremist settlers attacked houses in the Old City of al-Khalil and tried to assault its residents.
The settlers also assaulted a number of citizens in the city in the wake of stabbing an Israeli soldier by a Palestinian man, killed immediately by the IOF soldiers, near al-Haram al-Ibrahimi Mosque on Saturday.
On the other hand, the Israeli forces raided the Aroub camp and handed summonses to a number of Palestinian youths.
Local sources said the IOF stormed the camp and soldiers broke into Palestinians’ homes for search purposes amid intimidation of its residents. They delivered summonses to a number of young men to be questioned at the Israeli intelligence headquarters.
The Israeli forces were heavily deployed at the entrances of the Aroub refugee camp during the storming operation, the sources added.
Violent clashes burst out in the Old City of al-Khalil south of the West Bank on Saturday evening after the news spread of the Israeli shooting to death of a young man.
According to local sources in the city, the clashes were close to Abu Sneineh neighborhood amid an intensive presence of Israeli soldiers all over the Old City where live ammunition, rubber bullets, and tear gas grenades were heavily fired towards Palestinian youths who attacked the soldiers.
The sources also affirmed that the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) declared the Old City a closed military zone, announced a state of alert and imposed a curfew amid tight security measures.
According to Israeli army sources, Mahmoud Abu Juhaisha, a Palestinian youth, stabbed an Israeli officer at a military checkpoint. The officer sustained four stab wounds and his condition was described as critical.
Israeli soldiers present at the scene immediately fired at the youth and he was hit with five bullets that killed him on the spot.
According to eyewitnesses, the Israeli army at dawn Sunday stormed and provocatively searched Abu Juhaisha's house while most of his family members were at hospital to identify their son's body which was handed over by the IOF late Saturday night.
In the same context, local sources said that the Israeli Occupation Authorities (IOA) reneged on handing over the body of the minor Ali Abu Ghannam who was killed at dawn Saturday close to al-Zayyim checkpoint in Occupied Jerusalem. His family refused to receive his body Saturday morning as the IOA conditioned that only 20 Jerusalemites may participate in his funeral.
A state of tension has prevailed in the Old City of al-Khalil after Abu Juhaisha's death and settlers attacked Palestinian houses, hurled stones at Palestinian citizens, and assaulted the journalists who were in the area.
According to local sources in the city, the clashes were close to Abu Sneineh neighborhood amid an intensive presence of Israeli soldiers all over the Old City where live ammunition, rubber bullets, and tear gas grenades were heavily fired towards Palestinian youths who attacked the soldiers.
The sources also affirmed that the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) declared the Old City a closed military zone, announced a state of alert and imposed a curfew amid tight security measures.
According to Israeli army sources, Mahmoud Abu Juhaisha, a Palestinian youth, stabbed an Israeli officer at a military checkpoint. The officer sustained four stab wounds and his condition was described as critical.
Israeli soldiers present at the scene immediately fired at the youth and he was hit with five bullets that killed him on the spot.
According to eyewitnesses, the Israeli army at dawn Sunday stormed and provocatively searched Abu Juhaisha's house while most of his family members were at hospital to identify their son's body which was handed over by the IOF late Saturday night.
In the same context, local sources said that the Israeli Occupation Authorities (IOA) reneged on handing over the body of the minor Ali Abu Ghannam who was killed at dawn Saturday close to al-Zayyim checkpoint in Occupied Jerusalem. His family refused to receive his body Saturday morning as the IOA conditioned that only 20 Jerusalemites may participate in his funeral.
A state of tension has prevailed in the Old City of al-Khalil after Abu Juhaisha's death and settlers attacked Palestinian houses, hurled stones at Palestinian citizens, and assaulted the journalists who were in the area.
24 apr 2015
IDF officer visiting two of his soldiers in J'lem neighborhood of Mea She'arim assaulted by dozens of ultra-Orthodox Jews, who also caused damage to his car.
An IDF officer was attacked by dozens of ultra-Orthodox Jews in the neighborhood of Meah She'arim in Jerusalem on Friday. The assailants – both adults and children – threw stones and eggs at him, caused damage to his car and yelled: “Hardak (frivolous haredi), we will kill you".
The officer, a resident of Kiryat Arba who serves in the Givati infantry brigade, had arrived at the neighborhood in Jerusalem to pay a visit to two of his soldiers – one of them a lone soldier whose grandfather had recently passed away.
The officer's relatives said that the officer was careful to park his car just steps away from the soldier's home so as not to "stir provocation or attract attention."
Upon leaving the home of the second soldier, he was attacked. After managing to flee the area, he filed a complaint with the police and informed his commanders of the incident.
The soldier's mother, Yael, told Ynet that the attackers were dozens of adults and children, who had tried to physically hurt the officer. "He was driving in his car, which is an armour protected vehicle because we live in Kiryat Arba – and when he was assaulted, he tried to flee the area," she said.
"However, the children laid down on the road and prevented him from driving. They threw stones at him, and his windshield got shattered. After a few minutes he managed to escape by the skin of his teeth."
Yael said that her son had told her that the attackers "had murder in their eyes," and said that they were "just like the terrorists I met in Khan Yunis, in the last war. Not one person in the crowd tried to protect me. There was not one righteous man in Sodom."
Haredi soldier attacked: We get humiliated on daily basis
IDF commends Givati officer for restrained response to ultra-Orthodox Jews who attacked him in Meah She'arim neighborhood.
The IDF expressed outrage on Friday over the attack on a haredi IDF officer from the Givati Brigade by ultra-Orthodox Jews in Jerusalem's Meah She'arim neighborhood.
They admitted, however, that the attack was not a rare event, and said that similar cases were likely to occur in the future.
"This won't be the last case," said sources in the army's Personnel Directorate involved in the recruitment of ultra-Orthodox soldiers. "Law enforcement authorities, as well as courts, encourage the continued violence against haredi soldiers or commanders who come to visit them."
An ultra-Orthodox soldier serving in the Shahar program in the Home Front Command told Ynet that incidents such as those that occurred Friday are commonplace for haredi soldiers. "Haredi soldiers suffer threats and humiliations." He added that "the police do not act against those who print and distribute flyers inciting against them."
The officer, a resident of Kiryat Arba who serves in the Givati infantry brigade, had arrived at the neighborhood in Jerusalem to pay a visit to two of his soldiers – one of them a lone soldier whose grandfather had recently passed away. The officer's relatives said that the officer was careful to park his car near the soldier's home so as not to "stir provocation or attract attention."
Upon leaving the home of one of the soldiers, dozens of ultra-Orthodox Jews – both adults and children – threw stones and eggs at him, caused damage to his car and yelled: “Hardak (frivolous haredi), we will kill you". The soldier's mother, Yael, told Ynet that the attackers were dozens of adults and children, who had tried to physically hurt the officer. "He was driving in his car, which is an armour protected vehicle because we live in Kiryat Arba – and when he was assaulted, he tried to flee the area," she said.
The officer told his mother that the attackers "had murder in their eyes," and said that they were "just like the terrorists I met in Khan Yunis, in the last war. Not one person in the crowd tried to protect me. There was not one righteous man in Sodom." IDF personnel directorate officials say that the law enforcement bodies are encouraging the violence by failing to effectively enforce the law against the perpetrators.
"The incident that happened today proves that there is a state of lawlessness in ultra-Orthodox neighborhoods such as Mea She'arim. For an ultra-Orthodox soldier, visiting such a neighborhood is like visiting a foreign country. Just two weeks ago, a religious soldier serving in the IAF in a combat role was attacked in a similar fashion, because he 'dared' to walk around in Beit Shemesh wearing IDF uniform." The IDF said that the officer assaulted on Friday was an outstanding soldier who fought in Operation Protective Edge.
This past year, the IDF began to integrate ultra-Orthodox soldiers into the Givati infantry brigade, as well as into the "Netzah Yehuda" Battalion. Religious soldiers serving in the Givati Brigade's Rotem Battalion are engaged in operational activities along the border with Syria and Lebanon in the Mount Hermon sector. Officials in the Givati Brigade commended the officer attacked on Friday for refraining from an aggressive response: "He was nearly lynched, but he kept his composure and did not use his weapon, despite feeling threatened when they threw rocks at his car." Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and heads of ultra-Orthodox parties were quick to condemn the attack.
Netanyahu called the incident "outrageous", and said that "the lawbreakers who raised their hand on a soldier must be brought to justice." "Military service in the IDF is a source of pride," he said. "The IDF is an army that protects all of us. All members of Israeli society serve in the IDF – this is how things were and how they will always be." Shas party chairman Aryeh Deri said: "There's a limit to everything. An attack on an IDF soldier by Jewish extremists is an act of terrorism. A grave incident occurred today and I urge the police to do everything in their power to bring the perpetrators to justice."
MK Yaakov Litzman of the United Torah Judaism party also denounced the attack: "The attack on a soldier by extremists is a red line that must be denounced. Violence of any kind is a forbidden act. The police must bring the attackers to justice."
Netanyahu: Bring attackers of IDF officer to justice
Prime minister condemns attack on IDF officer in Jerusalem by ultra-Orthodox Jews: 'They are lawbreakers. Service in the IDF is a source of pride.'
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned on Friday the attack on a haredi IDF soldier by ultra-Orthodox Jews in Jerusalem's Meah She'arim neighborhood, calling it an "outrageous incident", and saying that "the lawbreakers who raised their hand on a soldier must be brought to justice."
The officer, a resident of Kiryat Arba who serves in the Givati infantry brigade, had arrived at the neighborhood in Jerusalem to pay a visit to two of his soldiers – one of them a lone soldier whose grandfather had recently passed away.
The officer's relatives said that the officer was careful to park his car near the soldier's home so as not to "stir provocation or attract attention."
Upon leaving the home of one of the soldiers, dozens of ultra-Orthodox Jews – both adults and children – threw stones and eggs at him, caused damage to his car and yelled: “Hardak (frivolous haredi), we will kill you".
The soldier's mother, Yael, told Ynet that the attackers were dozens of adults and children, who had tried to physically hurt the officer. "He was driving in his car, which is an armour protected vehicle because we live in Kiryat Arba – and when he was assaulted, he tried to flee the area," she said. Following the attack, Netanayhu spoke with Internal Security Minister Yitzhak Aharonovitch and was given an update on police's efforts to locate the assailants.
"Military service in the IDF is a source of pride. The IDF is an army that protects all of us. All members of Israeli society serve in the IDF – this is how things were and how they will always be," Netanyahu said.
A statement issued by the IDF Spokesperson's Unit said that the army "views this incident with the gravity."
"The army denounces and condemns any attempt to harm its commanders and soldiers, who work day and night to protect the security of the country and its citizens".
The IDF stressed that there the army has within its ranks "thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews serving in important positions."
Shas party chairman Aryeh Deri called the incident a "terrorist act".
"There's a limit to everything. An attack on an IDF soldier by Jewish extremists is an act of terrorism. A grave incident occurred today and I urge the police to do everything in their power to bring the perpetrators to justice."
Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon said that the attack was a shameful and ugly act that requires immediate treatment.
"We must not respond to violence with forgiveness. Woe to us if in Israel, soldiers and officers are assaulted because they are wearing IDF uniforms. We must act to the full extent of the law against those who try to harm IDF soldiers who protect Israeli citizens."
MK Yaakov Litzman of the United Torah Judaism party also condemned the attack: "The attack on a soldier by extremists is a red line that must be denounced. Violence of any kind is a forbidden act. The police must bring the attackers to justice."
An IDF officer was attacked by dozens of ultra-Orthodox Jews in the neighborhood of Meah She'arim in Jerusalem on Friday. The assailants – both adults and children – threw stones and eggs at him, caused damage to his car and yelled: “Hardak (frivolous haredi), we will kill you".
The officer, a resident of Kiryat Arba who serves in the Givati infantry brigade, had arrived at the neighborhood in Jerusalem to pay a visit to two of his soldiers – one of them a lone soldier whose grandfather had recently passed away.
The officer's relatives said that the officer was careful to park his car just steps away from the soldier's home so as not to "stir provocation or attract attention."
Upon leaving the home of the second soldier, he was attacked. After managing to flee the area, he filed a complaint with the police and informed his commanders of the incident.
The soldier's mother, Yael, told Ynet that the attackers were dozens of adults and children, who had tried to physically hurt the officer. "He was driving in his car, which is an armour protected vehicle because we live in Kiryat Arba – and when he was assaulted, he tried to flee the area," she said.
"However, the children laid down on the road and prevented him from driving. They threw stones at him, and his windshield got shattered. After a few minutes he managed to escape by the skin of his teeth."
Yael said that her son had told her that the attackers "had murder in their eyes," and said that they were "just like the terrorists I met in Khan Yunis, in the last war. Not one person in the crowd tried to protect me. There was not one righteous man in Sodom."
Haredi soldier attacked: We get humiliated on daily basis
IDF commends Givati officer for restrained response to ultra-Orthodox Jews who attacked him in Meah She'arim neighborhood.
The IDF expressed outrage on Friday over the attack on a haredi IDF officer from the Givati Brigade by ultra-Orthodox Jews in Jerusalem's Meah She'arim neighborhood.
They admitted, however, that the attack was not a rare event, and said that similar cases were likely to occur in the future.
"This won't be the last case," said sources in the army's Personnel Directorate involved in the recruitment of ultra-Orthodox soldiers. "Law enforcement authorities, as well as courts, encourage the continued violence against haredi soldiers or commanders who come to visit them."
An ultra-Orthodox soldier serving in the Shahar program in the Home Front Command told Ynet that incidents such as those that occurred Friday are commonplace for haredi soldiers. "Haredi soldiers suffer threats and humiliations." He added that "the police do not act against those who print and distribute flyers inciting against them."
The officer, a resident of Kiryat Arba who serves in the Givati infantry brigade, had arrived at the neighborhood in Jerusalem to pay a visit to two of his soldiers – one of them a lone soldier whose grandfather had recently passed away. The officer's relatives said that the officer was careful to park his car near the soldier's home so as not to "stir provocation or attract attention."
Upon leaving the home of one of the soldiers, dozens of ultra-Orthodox Jews – both adults and children – threw stones and eggs at him, caused damage to his car and yelled: “Hardak (frivolous haredi), we will kill you". The soldier's mother, Yael, told Ynet that the attackers were dozens of adults and children, who had tried to physically hurt the officer. "He was driving in his car, which is an armour protected vehicle because we live in Kiryat Arba – and when he was assaulted, he tried to flee the area," she said.
The officer told his mother that the attackers "had murder in their eyes," and said that they were "just like the terrorists I met in Khan Yunis, in the last war. Not one person in the crowd tried to protect me. There was not one righteous man in Sodom." IDF personnel directorate officials say that the law enforcement bodies are encouraging the violence by failing to effectively enforce the law against the perpetrators.
"The incident that happened today proves that there is a state of lawlessness in ultra-Orthodox neighborhoods such as Mea She'arim. For an ultra-Orthodox soldier, visiting such a neighborhood is like visiting a foreign country. Just two weeks ago, a religious soldier serving in the IAF in a combat role was attacked in a similar fashion, because he 'dared' to walk around in Beit Shemesh wearing IDF uniform." The IDF said that the officer assaulted on Friday was an outstanding soldier who fought in Operation Protective Edge.
This past year, the IDF began to integrate ultra-Orthodox soldiers into the Givati infantry brigade, as well as into the "Netzah Yehuda" Battalion. Religious soldiers serving in the Givati Brigade's Rotem Battalion are engaged in operational activities along the border with Syria and Lebanon in the Mount Hermon sector. Officials in the Givati Brigade commended the officer attacked on Friday for refraining from an aggressive response: "He was nearly lynched, but he kept his composure and did not use his weapon, despite feeling threatened when they threw rocks at his car." Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and heads of ultra-Orthodox parties were quick to condemn the attack.
Netanyahu called the incident "outrageous", and said that "the lawbreakers who raised their hand on a soldier must be brought to justice." "Military service in the IDF is a source of pride," he said. "The IDF is an army that protects all of us. All members of Israeli society serve in the IDF – this is how things were and how they will always be." Shas party chairman Aryeh Deri said: "There's a limit to everything. An attack on an IDF soldier by Jewish extremists is an act of terrorism. A grave incident occurred today and I urge the police to do everything in their power to bring the perpetrators to justice."
MK Yaakov Litzman of the United Torah Judaism party also denounced the attack: "The attack on a soldier by extremists is a red line that must be denounced. Violence of any kind is a forbidden act. The police must bring the attackers to justice."
Netanyahu: Bring attackers of IDF officer to justice
Prime minister condemns attack on IDF officer in Jerusalem by ultra-Orthodox Jews: 'They are lawbreakers. Service in the IDF is a source of pride.'
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned on Friday the attack on a haredi IDF soldier by ultra-Orthodox Jews in Jerusalem's Meah She'arim neighborhood, calling it an "outrageous incident", and saying that "the lawbreakers who raised their hand on a soldier must be brought to justice."
The officer, a resident of Kiryat Arba who serves in the Givati infantry brigade, had arrived at the neighborhood in Jerusalem to pay a visit to two of his soldiers – one of them a lone soldier whose grandfather had recently passed away.
The officer's relatives said that the officer was careful to park his car near the soldier's home so as not to "stir provocation or attract attention."
Upon leaving the home of one of the soldiers, dozens of ultra-Orthodox Jews – both adults and children – threw stones and eggs at him, caused damage to his car and yelled: “Hardak (frivolous haredi), we will kill you".
The soldier's mother, Yael, told Ynet that the attackers were dozens of adults and children, who had tried to physically hurt the officer. "He was driving in his car, which is an armour protected vehicle because we live in Kiryat Arba – and when he was assaulted, he tried to flee the area," she said. Following the attack, Netanayhu spoke with Internal Security Minister Yitzhak Aharonovitch and was given an update on police's efforts to locate the assailants.
"Military service in the IDF is a source of pride. The IDF is an army that protects all of us. All members of Israeli society serve in the IDF – this is how things were and how they will always be," Netanyahu said.
A statement issued by the IDF Spokesperson's Unit said that the army "views this incident with the gravity."
"The army denounces and condemns any attempt to harm its commanders and soldiers, who work day and night to protect the security of the country and its citizens".
The IDF stressed that there the army has within its ranks "thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews serving in important positions."
Shas party chairman Aryeh Deri called the incident a "terrorist act".
"There's a limit to everything. An attack on an IDF soldier by Jewish extremists is an act of terrorism. A grave incident occurred today and I urge the police to do everything in their power to bring the perpetrators to justice."
Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon said that the attack was a shameful and ugly act that requires immediate treatment.
"We must not respond to violence with forgiveness. Woe to us if in Israel, soldiers and officers are assaulted because they are wearing IDF uniforms. We must act to the full extent of the law against those who try to harm IDF soldiers who protect Israeli citizens."
MK Yaakov Litzman of the United Torah Judaism party also condemned the attack: "The attack on a soldier by extremists is a red line that must be denounced. Violence of any kind is a forbidden act. The police must bring the attackers to justice."
The Israeli police arrested on Friday two Jerusalemite youths on allegations of kidnapping and beating a Jewish settler.
The spokeswoman for the Israeli police said that the Israeli forces found a settler handcuffed and stabbed in many parts of his body inside the truck of a vehicle driven by two Jerusalemites earlier on Friday.
A statement released by the Israeli police said: "Adjacent to Hazeitim crossing in Jerusalem, police officers on a patrol noticed that a Hyundai car was parking on the roadside and when the driver saw the police he tried to run away. However, the police officers chased and arrested them and when they inspected the vehicle they found a settler with several stab wounds on his body."
The statement also added that the driver, 19, and his friend, 20, from al-Tur, East of Jerusalem, were detained and the settler was taken to Hadassah Ein Kerem hospital to receive treatment for his wounds which were described as light to moderate.
The spokeswoman for the Israeli police said that the Israeli forces found a settler handcuffed and stabbed in many parts of his body inside the truck of a vehicle driven by two Jerusalemites earlier on Friday.
A statement released by the Israeli police said: "Adjacent to Hazeitim crossing in Jerusalem, police officers on a patrol noticed that a Hyundai car was parking on the roadside and when the driver saw the police he tried to run away. However, the police officers chased and arrested them and when they inspected the vehicle they found a settler with several stab wounds on his body."
The statement also added that the driver, 19, and his friend, 20, from al-Tur, East of Jerusalem, were detained and the settler was taken to Hadassah Ein Kerem hospital to receive treatment for his wounds which were described as light to moderate.