For Jerusalemites, the news of the late Monday night rock-throwing attacks against the Jerusalem light rail did not come as a surprise, with many or most aware the actual train route was changed from its early inception based on recommendations of the ISA (Israel Security Agency – Shin Bet), with the latter refusing to approve the original route which called for passing through certain Arab areas of the capital.

On Monday night, October 10th, close to midnight, rocks were hurled at a train traveling on Route 1 as the train passed National Police Headquarters. A number of passengers required treatment for hysteria. Baruch Hashem the situation was limited to this and despite the response of emergency medical service units, no one required transport to a hospital. Police and border police responsible for train security in the area launched a search in the hope of apprehending those responsible.

In a related matter, an Egged number 2 bus traveling near Jaffa Gate to the Old City was bombarded with rocks, perhaps a signal of what is to be expected during Sukkos. The driver lost control of his vehicle and smashed into a wall. He sustained light injuries, treated on the scene and transported to a local hospital.

Unfortunately, the act of throwing stones at a public bus or train have become so commonplace in Israel that most have been numbed to the potentially fatally outcome, as was the case on erev Rosh Hashanah near Hebron, when Asher and Yonatan Pamer HY”D were murdered.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)