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Bedouin violence against Jews in the Negev area continue to increase, albeit without a response from authorities. On Monday, 15 Adar II, a bus from the Metropolin Company was targeted by gunfire on Route 31 near the Negev municipality of Chura.

A 388 bus was traveling from Beersheva to Arad arrived at the Beersheva Central Bus Station. The Heiman family got on and expected to arrive home at 21:00, a half hour ride from the bus station. Shortly after passing Chura, they heard loud thumps, smashing glass and felt glass shards. Kol HaYehudi reports the driver pulled over but the Heimans shouted at him to continue driving – to get out of the area as they were aware gunshots rang out.

The driver responded and halted the bus about a kilometer down the road. He waited for a police vehicle, which took 40 minutes. No medical personnel were dispatched to inquire into the well-being of passengers.

The family arrived home at about 23:00, angry, frustrated and grateful to be alive and well. However Mrs. Heiman was quite shaken up and was busy picking pieces of glass out of her hair and hand.

When asked to comment police stated it was not a shooting incident but rocks thrown at the bus.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)