(VIDEO IN EXTENDED ARTICLE)

The accompanying photo and video show the court-ordered gap in the security wall that permitted the terrorist to enter the army position near Beit El on erev Shabbos and carry out the attack that left an IDF soldier in critical condition. The terrorist entered via the opening and when confronted by the soldier, Naveh Rotem, and then injured him with a knife and struck him in his head with a stone and then fled the scene.

Chaggai Ben-Artzi, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s brother-in-law and resident of Beit El tells of the painful situation, the reality that resulted when the High Court of Justice instructed the army upon constructing the security wall that it must leave an opening for an Arab farmer, towards permitting him to reach his shed inside, an area “that has not been visited by him in 100 years”.

The high court had ordered, when this protection wall was built around Beit El, a gap in the wall must be left in case the owner of the field wanted access the area.

Ben-Artzi, who refers to the High Court as the “source of evil” in Israel, explains it is the High Court’s ruling once again that permitted the attack, providing the opening in the security wall for the attacker to enter.

B’chasdei Hashem, Rotem’s condition has improved significantly, as he is conscious and alert and communicating with his surroundings.

Following the attack on erev Shabbos, angry Beit El residents headed towards nearby Jalazoun and an exchange rock-throwing began between the residents of Beit El and the PA (Palestinian Authority) residents of Jalazoun resulted. Following the attack, the IDF sealed the opening in the security wall and the shed owned by the Arab was destroyed.

After the attack, the soldier’s family released the following message: “The soldier Naveh Rotem, a fighter in the Kfir Brigade of the Netzach Yehuda Battalion, was injured on Friday in a clash with a terrorist after a brave struggle, and his condition is stable and improving.

“Naveh wishes to convey to the people of Israel that we are stronger than our enemies, who had a miracle and that he is alive. We would like you all for the tefilos and good deeds on his behalf and tefilos for a complete recovery for Naveh Michael ben Osnat Esther bsoch cholei yisrael and the other wounded”.

It was a most difficult week for Nachal Chareidi, as two other soldiers, Sgt. Yosef (Yossi) Cohen HY”D and Staff Sgt. Yovel Mor Yosef HY”D, were killed in the terrorist shooting attack at Givat Assaf on Thursday.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)