The violence began on Sunday erev Rosh Hashanah 5776 and continued throughout the yomtov. The ongoing Arab attacks led to the death of 64-year-old Jerusalem resident Alexander Levlovitz HY”D after he lost control of his car as a result of a rock-throwing attack. As a result of the continuing Arab violence, 20 policemen and civilians were injured during Rosh Hashanah.

The Arab violence and attacks in the eastern capital spread quickly, as the attackers targeted police and Jews on yomtov. B’chasdei Hashem on the previous night, during a search of an apartment in the eastern capital, police found a pipe bomb ready for use, thereby averting that potentially deadly attack.

Masked Arab youths hid out in al-Aqsa Mosque and began the violence on erev yomtov in the morning hours, attacking police with rocks, bottles, fireworks and other objects. During the night they also set obstacles in place to prevent police from responding. Police were compelled to use riot-control means to restore order on Har Habayis, moving in during the predawn hours and thereby taking the young terrorists by surprise. A pipe was found on the scene too that was feared to be an explosive and it was removed from the area by the appropriate means.

As reported, a Jew was killed in the Armon HaNatziv neighborhood of the capital when his vehicle was bombarded by rocks. He had a heart attack and lost control of the vehicle, which fell down an incline. He was transported to a local hospital in critical condition and he was pronounced dead shortly following his arrival. Firefighters had to assist paramedics in extricating the man from the scene. A look at the vehicle told the story of the blood thirsty Arab mob in the heart of Jerusalem. Last week YWN-ISRAEL reported there were 24 firebomb attacks in that neighborhood in the period of one week.

Firemen who operated on the scene report the vehicle of the victim slammed into a guard rail with “significant force”, adding CPR was being performed on the scene.

President Reuven Rivlin on motzei Rosh Hashanah commented on the murder of the Levlovitz HY”D and the deteriorating situation in the capital. He also spoke with Acting Police Commissioner Bentzi Sau.

The President said, “On the evening of Rosh Hashanah, Alexander Levlovitz – a family man, and a Jerusalemite – was murdered. This bloody incident is further evidence that terror is terror – whether with stones or other weapons – and that we must act firmly and appropriately against terrorism.

“At the conclusion of Rosh Hashanah, I spoke with Acting Police Commissioner Sau, and received from him an update on the difficult incidents which occurred over the festival, and on the comprehensive response by the police and security forces. I thanked him, and the Jerusalem District Commander, for their hard work – over the festival and ongoing – to restore order to the city’s streets. I send my deep condolences to the bereaved family, may they know no more sorrow.”

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on motzei Yomtov convened a discussion on the security situation in and around Jerusalem and said at the start of the meeting: “We will use all necessary measures to fight against those who throw stones, firebombs, pipe bombs and fireworks in order to attack civilians and police. On the eve of the holiday it was again proven that throwing stones can kill. Such actions will be met with very sharp punitive and preventive responses. We will lead systemic changes and will set a new standard of deterrence and prevention.”

It was decided to increase steps in several areas: Changing open-fire orders will be examined as will be setting minimum sentences for these offenses and imposing heavy fines on minors – and their parents – who commit these offenses.

Prime Minister Netanyahu emphasized that Israel is committed to maintaining the status quo on Har Habayis and added that rioters would not be allowed to prevent Jews from visiting the holy area. The Prime Minister directed that a further discussion be held next week in order to advance the steps decided on this evening.

Also attending the discussion were Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon, Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan, Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked, Jerusalem Affairs Minister Ze’ev Elkin, Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz, Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat, Acting Police Commissioner Bentzi Sau, ISA Director Yoram Cohen, Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein, National Security Adviser Yossi Cohen, Foreign Ministry Director General Dr. Dore Gold, attorney Isaac Molcho and other senior officials.

A Jew calls police erev yomtov to report he was rocked in Armon HaNatziv

Video showing the erev yomtov violence

Foreign Ministry: Rosh Hashanah rioting on Har Habayis

Har Habayis violence on Rosh Hashanah

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)