As police are forced to deal with growing Arab violence in predominately Arab areas of Yerushalayim, residents of Pisgat Ze’ev, a northern border community of the capital, are now contending with shooting attacks. There have been three attacks involving gunfire from neighboring Shuafat directed at homes in the neighborhood of late. Homes in Pisgat Ze’ev in some cases are a mere 50 meters (yards) from the Arab community (as the crow flies). To the best of the knowledge of residents, police have yet to take sufficient action to prevent the continuation of the attacks.

The last attack occurred close to erev Shabbos 10 Elul. Police arrived on Yosef Nadva Street in the neighborhood to investigate reports of gunfire. They found to bullet holes, one in a vehicle of an 81-year-old area resident. Gunfire has also been reported on Meridor Street.

According to Rivkah and Rachamim Mizrachi, new residents of the area, they are fearful all the time. They explain they never thought that living in a Jerusalem neighborhood would include worrying about shooting attacks.

Two weeks ago an undercover unit apprehended a sniper in Shuafat in the act. Police hoped the apprehension of the man would bring an end to the attacks but this is not the case since another attack occurred erev Shabbos.

Residents of Shuafat and neighboring Beit Haninah have also terrorized light rail service. In addition to causing tens of millions of shekels in damage, they have halted train service to the northern capital as the decision was made on a number of occasions not to permit the train to pass through the predominately Arab areas of the capital due to the sharp increase in attacks. Rocks were hurled at a train passing through the Shuafat area on Monday morning 13 Elul.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)