Firebomb attack victim 11-year-old Ayalah bas Rus Shapira remains in serious condition. She is still connected to a respirator and remains in a medically-induced coma. Ayalah remains in Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer.

Visitors to Ayalah and her dad, Avner, who B”H is far less severely injured in the attack, included Jerusalem Councilman Dov Kalmanovich, who is a survivor of a terrorist firebomb attack that occurred years ago. Kalmanovich, who is a deputy mayor, was burned over 75% of his entire body during the so-called First Intifada as he was traveling in the Shomron. The attack occurred south of Beit El. He came to give the injured hope based on his own painful experience.

Kalmanovich said “It is very difficult seeing the injured and their wounded. There is a long painful rehabilitation process ahead that includes both difficult physical and emotional difficulties that include esthetic difficulties too. But I, with 263% disability rating function with almost 100% normalcy. I am confident that Ayalah the hero will return to function, to regular happy life”.

Kalmanovich added that while he does not know Mr. Shapira, he felt a palpable strength in his presence. He told the press “the incidents occurring over recent months are an intifada in every aspect. The significance of this is a popular uprising including children who listen to the incitement and they take lethal weapons into their own hands, such as a firebomb or a vehicular attack as we have experienced in Yerushalayim. Security agencies must respond appropriately to address this uprising”.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)