One of the greatest tools at the disposal of officials wishing to address problems, including Islamic violence and attacks is denial, a refusal to ‘call it what it is’, something that Israeli officials excel in. This has been the case since the so-called “First Intifada” back in 1987 [a prior to that as well].

Rather than addressing the rock-throwing at that time, the government tied the hand of security forces, opting to replace windows on vehicles of residents of Yehuda and Shomron with Lexan rock-resistant material, which at best prevents injuries, but does nothing to halt attacks.

When the Moses family of Alfei Menashe fell victim to a fatal firebomb attack as they headed to the airport for vacation the government did not respond as it should, but searched for a way to prevent he firebombs from entering our vehicles. When Dov Kalmanovitch of Beit El sustained 2nd and 3rd degree burns over his entire body, the government did not respond appropriately. Since those attacks, there have literally been thousands upon thousands of attacks, which have become a fact of life in Israel today.

The lack of emunah in HaKadosh Baruch Hu accompanied by the fear of the White House that plagues the nation’s leaders has resulted in the enemy using cinderblocks, firebombs and gunfire, and in the case of the Cohen children, who once resided in Gush Katif, even rockets, fired at a school bus and successfully penetrating the vehicle’s armor plating leaving a number of children maimed for life.

Today, we boast armored school buses throughout Yehuda and Shomron. MDA ambulances throughout the capital have rock-resistant Lexan windows, as do Israel Electric Company vehicles and other agencies, the Israeli response to potentially fatal attack.

We are now continuing the construction of the world’s largest ghetto, the partition barrier fence, the state’s answer to suicide bombers, confident the walls and fences will prevent the would-be bombers from making their way over Green Line Israel. Officials seem unable to explain what will stop the many suicide bombers who are Jerusalem residents, assuring us the situation is under control as the diplomatic process advances. 

While the PA (Palestinian Authority) and Hamas are calling it a “third intifada”, the Arab word that has been incorporated into the Israeli lexicon, a word that stands for unprovoked attacks against civilians and security officials alike under the guise of combating an occupational force, Israel Police Chief Dudi Cohen on Tuesday announced he does not see a third intifada taking place. Amid his astute remarks, some 3,000 troops continue surrounding Har Habayis and hundreds of security cameras monitor everything taking place in the Old City of the capital, all to maintain order, hoping the mispalalim at the Kosel will not fall prey to Islamic rock-throwers once again, or worse.

Before one can begin addressing a problem, one must exhibit an awareness that the problem exists and for Police Chief Cohen, a closure of PA areas since erev shabbos, nationwide heightened alert status, rock-throwing attacks which include Israeli Arabs and members of the Druse community are insufficient to drive the point home.

Following is a partial listing of the ‘intifada’ events that occurred during the afternoon and evening hours on Tuesday. During the day, four citizens and 15 security troops were injured by rocks and rioting during a day of Islamic violence. One police was injured by gunfire. B’chasdei Hashem, there were no serious injuries and/or fatalities, but it was not for the lack of trying as firebombs were thrown at vehicles in the capital and on Highway 443, not just in areas of Yehuda and Shomron, where such occurrences are ‘acceptable’.

Defense Minister Ehud Barak, who exhibits mesirus nefesh to halt construction throughout Yehuda and Shomron, simply cannot stop unprovoked attacks against Jews traveling the roadways of Yehuda and Shomron.

Once again, the media rarely reports rock-throwing attacks if there are no injuries, perhaps unaware of the potentially fatal impact a projectile can have when hurled at a vehicle traveling at a measurable speed. The Arabs engaged in the acts are well-aware, determined in their mission to injure and kill Israelis.

In light of the situation, Israel Police continues to operate on heightened alert status today, Wednesday. 60 Arabs were arrested during the day on Tuesday. The closure imposed on PA areas has been lifted.

**Rock-throwing attacks at two buses in the Jaffa area of Tel Aviv.

**Tuesday night rock-throwing attacks on Naomi St. in Yerushalayim. Windows of two cars were smashed.

**Firebomb attack on Jerusalem’s Uzi Narkis Blvd on Tuesday night. (Jerusalem – Pisgat Ze’ev)

**A soldier sustained light facial injuries in a Tuesday night rock-throwing attack between Adam and Hizme on the road from Jerusalem to Shomron.

**Tuesday night: Israeli Arabs threw rocks at vehicles traveling between Mishmar HaNegev and Lahavim.

**Two Tuesday night firebomb attacks on Highway 443.

**Two mortar shells landed near Erez Crossing on Tuesday night.

**Tuesday night rock-throwing attacks on the Hussan Bypass Rd. near Betar Illit.

**Tuesday night rock-throwing attacks near Halhoul, north of Chevron.

**An Israeli was injured lightly in a rock-throwing attack on Tuesday evening near Tekoa, in the eastern Gush Etzion area.

**Firebomb attack near Silwad (Shomron – near Ofra).

**Rock-throwing attacks on the Gush Etzion-Chevron Highway near Beit Omer.

**Rock-throwing attacks on the Trans-Samaria Highway near Marda.

**Arabs in Chevron bombarded security forces with rocks while rolling burning vehicle tires at them.

Police Chief Cohen in his statements on Tuesday confirmed there are “signs” of unrest, but not a third intifada.

The closure has been lifted so the stone-throwers of Tuesday night may cross the Green Line and report for work, the manual labor force of the nation.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)