The death of Megiddo Prison terrorist inmate Arafat Jaradat on Shabbos 13 Adar 5773 is the cause of the last three days of stormy protests accompanied by attacks against IDF soldiers and Jewish residents alike. Bombs were hurled at Kever Rochel, rocks thrown as pedestrian vehicles indiscriminately, and firebombs and rocks were hurled in many areas, with the epicenter of the violence being in the greater Hebron district. Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu earlier in the week met with senior security officials to discuss the alarming sharp increase in attacks throughout Yehuda and Shomron.

The autopsy conducted on the prisoner was inconclusive, with medical experts explaining the bruise marks visible on the chest of the deceased were the result of CPR. PA officials are accusing Israel of torturing him, citing this as the cause of death, which PA officials insist occurred between interrogation sessions. It was clear that the PA was determined to blame Israel in the death of the prisoner and the autopsy results were not going to change this.

The funeral for Jaradat took place on 15 Adar in the Hebron district, in the village of Sa’ir. The IDF closed the Gush Etzion – Hebron Road south of Gush Etzion hours ahead of the funeral to prevent additional attacks against Jewish motorists. By and large the event passed with a minimum of disturbances but there were attacks, such as the improvised explosive devices hurled at a military position at Kever Rochel. One of the attackers was shot in his head in the IDF response, and after being stabilized by an IDF physician on the scene, he was transported to the Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital trauma unit.

Terrorists imprisoned in Israel have been observing a hunger strike in recent days, which is playing a role in fueling the atmosphere of rebellion “against the Israeli occupation”.

Two Jewish children were injured by rocks hurled at cars they were traveling in on Monday night near the entrance to Betar Illit. Baruch Hashem Ichud Hatzalah EMTs reported their injuries were “very light”.

The PA’s Ma’an news agency released a statement in the name of Abu Mazen, in which he calls for calm, instructing his security commanders to “preserve the general security within the Palestinian Authority’s territories and avoid being dragged into the cycle of violence and chaos that is being perpetrated by Israel.” Some feel that Abu Mazen is genuinely trying to maintain calm amid the realization widespread violence ahead of the March 20, 2013 visit by US President Barak Obama will hurt and not assist the cause. Others accuse the PA leader of playing both sides of the fence, releasing the politically correct statements while encouraging the intifada violence and attacks behind the scenes.

Not failing in its anti-Israel mandate, UN envoy Robert Serry called for a thorough investigation into the death and autopsy of Jaradat. Serry is calling for “an independent and transparent investigation into the circumstances” of the death following Israel’s autopsy.

Interestingly, no mention is made of the fact that Israel agreed to permit a physician selected by the bereaved family to observe the autopsy even before the demands were heard by the United Nations.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)