Palestinian protesters attempted to burn down Joseph’s tomb in Nablus Sunday evening as riots in the area continued into the fifth day. The would-be arsonists were stopped by Palestinian Authority security forces.
Following the arrest of six Jewish suspects in the recent murder of Arab youth Muhammed Abu Khdeir, 16, of East Jerusalem, several Arab youths threw firebombs at the holy site. PA security forces used tear gas to keep the rioters back.
The site is sacred to Jews, Muslims, Christians and Samaritans alike. Other holy sites attacked by firebombs include the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron and the Tomb of Rachel in Jerusalem.
Shortly after the funerals of three Israeli teenagers, Eyal Yifrach, 19, and Naftali Frenkel and Gilad Shaar, both 16, who were kidnapped and murdered last month by Hamas terrorists, the body of Abu Khdeir was found burned in a Jerusalem forest. The discovery set off a wave of violent protests and riots across the country as the death was labelled by some as a revenge killing. Israeli Shin Bet security services now acknowledge the motive was likely nationalistic.
Unlike the reaction of Arab communities to the missing Israeli boys, the announcement of Abu Khdeir’s murder prompted condemnation from Jewish leaders and laymen across the board. This did nothing to quell the unrest which erupted immediately. Over the past few days, violent clashes took place around the country.
Over the weekend alone, protesters threw firebombs and stones at police in Jerusalem. Riots were reported in several communities both north and south, including Nazareth, I’billin, Ar’ara, Tamra, Tel Sheva, Lakia and Hura.
Masked men allegedly threw firebombs at cars near Be’er Sheva and stones were hurled at a bus in the Jerusalem area. Cars were stopped by masked men in Israel’s northern “Arab triangle” and Jews were dragged from their cars and beaten. A couple walking in Jerusalem Saturday night were attacked by Arab assailants who fled when the husband fired his gun into the air. Attackers in a Jerusalem yeshiva (school for advanced Jewish learning) were met by students defending themselves with chairs and food.
Rioters also destroyed two Light Rail stations servicing East Jerusalem’s Arab neighborhoods. The damage will take months to repair and cost tens of millions of shekels.
“In the end those who will suffer the most from the damage are mainly the residents of the Shuafat and Beit Hanina neighborhoods,” CityPass, the company which runs the light rail system, said. “Unfortunately what has happened in the last few days hurts all the city’s residents and the damage will impinge on service to everyone.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on his PA counterparts to do their part to protect Israel.
“There is no room in Israel for throwing rocks at police, throwing petrol bombs, blocking roads, destroying property or inciting against the very existence of the State of Israel,” he said.
“You cannot enjoy social security payments and child benefit on the one hand, and violate the most basic laws of the State of Israel on the other,” Netanyahu stated. “I call upon leaders of the Arab public to take responsibility, to face the wave of rioting and restore peace.”
