IDF officials announced they will be stepping up their presence on certain roads throughout Yehuda and Shomron. While the announcement is a welcome one for the many Jewish residents of those areas, the move is not prompted by the IDF’s concerns for Jews, but the military’s perception of the current situation, which poses an increased risk to Arab motorists following a number of recently reported rock-throwing attacks against Arab drivers.

The latest involved an attack in the area of Yitzhar in Shomron in which an Arab woman and her child sustained moderate injuries. A 16-year-old Yitzhar youth was arrested and released on bail with restrictions in connection with the attack. The suspect’s attorney, Naftali Wurtzburger, reports his client is maintaining his innocence.

Yitzhar residents praised the IDF announcement, which they say should have taken place sometime ago. They question however why when Jewish motorists are being targeted by Arab rock-throwers on a regular basis nothing is done but now, only after Arab drivers express their fears, is the decision made to increase the IDF’s presence on area roads.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)