Hundreds of IDF soldiers and police were involved in a situation that occurred on Tuesday afternoon, 6 Shevat 5774 that could have lead to the death of over 20 Jews R”L.
According to the members of the hilltop youths involved, they were simply walking on the hills in the Gush Shilo area between Shilo and Eli when a large band of Arabs, who were apparently waiting in ambush, attacked them. They were largely outnumbered and took a real beating.
The IDF and police believe the Arab version of events, that the group was heading towards the village of Kariyut to carry out a price tag attack when they were detected. The incident occurred just hours after a number of cars in the Jaffa area of Tel Aviv had their tires slashed and anti-Arab graffiti was left at the scene including “Arabs=Murderers”.
The youths were held down and beaten by the mob, then held hostage by the villagers. The IDF received a report of what was taking place at about 14:30. The reports stated Jews were heading to the Arab village, prompting a rapid and sizable response. However when the first soldiers arrived they were not prepared for the magnitude of what was taking place, the fact the Jews were being held, assaulted and hostage to the angry villagers.
As reinforcements arrived officers began negotiating with villagers, seeking to calm the situation and prevent addition injuries or chas v’sholom the loss of life. Police report that while over 20 Jews were injured, only two required hospitalization. Seven Jews were taken into custody as police and the IDF simply do not believe the version of those involved.
The Jews told them that PA (Palestinian Authority) police were among the mob that attacked them, but it does not appear they will be receiving any mercy from Israeli authorities.
In this case the Arabs were brazen as they did not stop the beatings when soldiers arrived, continuing to deliver blows to members of the group as police and soldiers looked on. They watched rather than intervene, apparently under orders not to move in.
After the mob finally agreed to release the Jewish civilians they were escorted to the waiting hands of soldiers as the Arab crowd took swings at them and mocked them, adding shame to the physical assaults.
It appears that some of the Jews managed to flee the mob moments after the assault began and they called for assistance. Channel 10 News adds that some of the calls for assistance also came from villagers in Kariyut.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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One Response
WHAT A SICK SCENARIO!!!
According to the members of the hilltop youths—-and who said they were HILLTOP YOUTHS, some look like married men and many live in that legal yishuv. HUH!!! IDF stands by and watches Jews get assaulted without intervening. This needs a public outcry!!!! (from more than just Feiglin)