Jerusalem, Arab war and killing Jews

Last updated: November 6, 2014

Today, November 5, 2014, Jews in Jerusalem saw yet another automobile terror attack (“1 killed as driver plows into Jerusalem crowd in terror attack”, Times of Israel, November 5, 2014). Initial reports weren’t complete. It’s been reported that as many as fourteen may have been injured (Jerusalem Post). As many as five of the injured could be in ‘serious’ condition (Arutz Sheva). We should have more accurate information tomorrow.

We pray that all the injured will survive their injuries. We pray that they will each have a quick recovery. We offer our condolences to the family of the Druze Border Police officer who was killed in the attack. 

Today’s attack was the second vehicular homicide terror incident against Jews in Jerusalem during the last two weeks. One week ago, a third Arab terrorist attempted to assassinate Rabbi Yehuda Glick, who works to secure the freedom for Jews to worship on the Temple Mount. All three terror assailants appear to have had connections to the terror organization Hamas.

After each of these three attacks, Hamas and Fatah hailed the assailants as ‘martyrs’ who rose to ‘protect’ the ‘Palestinian’ people. Each was honoured as a ‘hero’.

During the last fourteen days, Jerusalem has seen dozens of attacks by many would-be ‘heroes’ against Jews—plus these three murderous attacks. This murderous anti-Jewish violence isn’t an accident. Arab leaders have called for it.

Last week, Israel’s press reported that Palestinian (PA) leader Mahmoud Abbas called for an Intifada (a violent uprising) (“Abbas Calls for 'Jerusalem Intifada' - Just Like Arafat Did”, Arutz Sheva, October 28, 2014). Israel’s press now reports that Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cites PA leader Abbas as directly responsible for today’s attack. Netanyahu said that Abbas “was inspiring terrorists to attack and kill Israelis” through his active incitement against Israel (“Netanyahu Vows: We Will Win the Struggle for Jerusalem”, Arutz Sheva, November 5, 2014).

Last week, Adina Kutnicki quoted MK Moshe Feiglin (Likud) suggesting that the assassination attempt on Rabbi Glick on October 29, 2014 wasn’t a surprise. She quoted him saying, “the writing was on the wall. The weakness of the government, the security forces and of the Minister of Public Security against the Arab conduct on the Temple Mount and the harassment of Jews, stimulates the continuation of violence and leads to attempted murder” (“JERUSALEM ON FIRE: Assassination Attempt, In Heart Of Capital, On JEWISH Temple Mount Activist!”, adinakutnicki blog, October 31, 2014).

Israelis are angry. Reader comments to today’s news stories about this latest attack are filled with that anger. They want protection. They want to see their government stand up against the Arab violence that threatens Jerusalem.

Less than two hours after the attack, Jews gathered at the attack site to demand that Interior Security Minister Yitzhak Aharonovich be fired over his failure to address these attacks (“Protest at Jerusalem Attack Site: 'Death to Terrorists'”, Arutz Sheva, November 5, 2014). In the past, Aharonovich has looked weak dealing with Arab violence.

Last week, Israeli officials were concerned that Arab lawlessness in Jerusalem was on the verge of spiralling out of control (“Edelstein Vows: 'Jerusalem Will Not Become Cannon Fodder'”, Arutz Sheva, October 27, 2014). Since then, Arab riots East Jerusalem have not eased. They have continued unabated (“Violent Events in Jerusalem,” News of Terrorism and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict (October 29 – November 4, 2014), The Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center). Worse for Israel, both Hamas and Fatah have called for a ‘Day of Rage’ (ibid). They want more violence.

They have now gotten what they’ve called for: another vehicular terror attack.

Arabs won’t back off. They continue to call for violence against Jews. Today, Deputy Education Minister MK Avi Wortzman (Jewish Home) revealed that Arabs distribute inciting materials against Jews who are active on the Temple Mount issue (“MK: Arabs Preparing to Kill Temple Mount Activist”, Arutz Sheva, November 5, 2014). Arabs distribute photos of Temple Mount activists and call for them to be targeted. They had done that with Rabbi Yehuda Glick before he’d been shot. They’re doing it now with Temple Mount activist Arnon Segal (ibid).

After today’s attack, Hamas gloated that "al-Aqsa [the Temple Mount] is the detonator that will cause a volcano to erupt in Israel's face" (“Hamas claims Jerusalem car attack”, PLO news, November 5, 2014). Islamic Jihad declared that the "battle of Jerusalem" has begun. It calls Palestinians to become part of the war (“Islamic Jihad: Jerusalem clashes will increase”, PLO news, November 5, 2014).

Israelis are horrified by the violence. They are equally horrified by the government’s failure to stop that violence.

The G-d of Israel has a Story for you. It is the Story of the Final Jewish Redemption. Will violence against Jews and a Jewish leadership failure to protect its citizens play a role in that Story?

Stay tuned. The G-d of Israel won’t disappoint you.