April 08, 2007

At 12:15 this afternoon an Arab terrorist burst through the western exit from the Kasbah, adjacent to Ma’arat HaMachpela in Hebron and stabbed to border policeman. One was listed as critically wounded and the other only slightly injured. However, following initial examination at Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem, it first policeman’s injury was reduced to moderate, with no serious internal damage.

The terrorist was shot by security forces in the stomach and too is listed in moderate condition.

This is not the first time that Arab terrorists have attacked policeman and soldiers at this site. Two other attacks have occurred over the past two years, one a shooting attack, when a soldier was hit in the spine and paralyzed, and a second knife attack.

A Hebron spokesman issued the following statement:

The terror attack today next to Ma’arat HaMachpela in Hebron is the result of several reasons:

Tremendous, non-stop incitement against Hebron’s Jewish community by extreme left wing organizations. Shalom Achshav (Peace Now), Machsom Watch, ISM, CPT and other anarchist groups have put Hebron in their sights, and incite violent and radical terrorists in Hebron against Hebron’s Jewish civilian and military population. Over the past few months, there have been several attempts by Arabs to abduct Jews, including an attempt to kidnap and rape two young women only a week and a half ago.

Continued statements by Defense Minister Amir Peretz and Deputy Defense Minster Ephraim Sneh, attacking the validity of a newly purchased building in Hebron, despite the proven legality of the sale also act as incitement against the Hebron Jewish community. Extreme declarations stating that Jew will be forcibly expelled from the building only act as a springboard for Arab terrorists, who view these statements, as well as the provocation of left-wing organizations, grant seeming legitimacy to murderous attacks, such as today’s attack, which miraculously didn’t cause loss of life.

A number of Knesset members and ministers, including Ontiel Shneller, Rafi Eitan, and Gideon Saar have voiced opinions opposing expulsion from the building. According to an Arutz 7/INN news report, Prime Minister Olmert himself promised MK Effie Eitam that he would not allow Peretz to evacuate the building, should it be proven that the sale was legal.

Hebron’s Jewish community calls on all MKs and Ministers to publicly oppose Amir Peretz’s planned expulsion of Jews from Beit HaShalom (The Peace House) in Hebron. Do not award the Arabs a prize for terror!

Mattot Arim posted the following notice:

Have Shas and Liberman’s party forgotten Hebron?

As you may have read – Amir Peretz is threatening to evict hundreds of Jews from Hebron who are living in a house that they purchased from Arabs for a mere $700,000 (700 thousand dollars).

So far, MK Otni Schneller is combating this through his party (Kadima), MK Gidon Saar is combating this through his party (Likud), all of the Ichud Leumi-Mafdal is of course up in arms – but hey, what about Shas and Yisrael Beitenu, Liberman’s party? Their silence is very damaging because they are the ONLY two rightwing parties in the government!

Please, contact the heads of Shas and Yisrael Beitenu and politely ask what is going on with the house in Hebron – say that you have not seen any statement on behalf of that house. You can fax Eli Yishai’s office at 02-6662909. Yisrael Beitenu’s Avigdor Liberman is at 02-6408388 (tel – leave a message!) or 02-6408921 (fax).

The Jewish Community of Hebron
POB 105, Kiryat Arba-Hebron 90100
hebron@hebron.org.il
www.hebron.com
Ma’arat HaMachpela: www.machpela.com

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