Resident s of the Gush Etzion community of Bat Ayin on Shabbos afternoon were once again targeted by Arabs from the nearby village of Um Safa. Rocks were hurled at residents as they observed the Holy Day, another unprovoked attack from their hostile neighbors, one whom remains in custody for the murder of a resident and the wounding of a second resident in an axe attack in that community.

After finding themselves in perilous danger, some of the Bat Ayin residents, soldiers on leave from the IDF, opened fire towards the village to scatter the attackers. There were no injuries from their gunfire, which succeeded in halting the rock-throwing. Riots later erupted in the village, compelling the IDF to move in. At least two rioters were wounded by IDF gunfire.

IDF soldiers detained a number of Bat Ayin residents, including the two soldiers who admitted to firing their weapons. They explained their use of their weapons was justified since they were in life-threatening danger.

Responding to the press field day, some security officials have released statements that vigilantism will not be tolerated. The mainstream media has already judged the Bat Ayin residents and found them guilty, reporting they provoked the incident, opting to ignore reports of the unprovoked massive rock-throwing attacks at community residents on Shabbos.

Um Safa resident 26-year-old Moussa Tit remains in ISA (Israel Security Agency – Shin Bet) custody for the axe attack in April which claimed the life of 13-year-old Shlomo Nativ. Tit admitted to interrogators that he could have struck out at adults who crossed his path unknowingly after he penetrated the community but he was looking to murder Jewish children, not adults.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)