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An Israeli soldier argues with a Palestinian driver near Kalandia yesterday. (Reuters)
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| By Ellis Shuman June 6, 2001 |
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Doctors at Hadassah University Hospital at Ein Kerem continue to fight to save the life of five-month-old Yehuda Hayim Shoham, who was seriously wounded by a stone thrown at the car he was traveling in near the Tapuach Junction last night. Assistant hospital director Professor Shmuel Shapira said the child, unconscious and receiving artificial respiration, was in critical condition and fighting for his life.
The Shoham family was driving to Shilo north of Ramallah just before 10 p.m. with the five-month-old child secured in a baby seat in the car. Despite the fact that the family's vehicle had reinforced security glass, a stone thrown by Palestinians managed to shatter the windshield and strike the child in the head.
According to Israeli media reports, the Palestinian
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"The reduction in violence in the past few days is a step in the right direction"
- Defense Minister Benyamin Ben Eliezer
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Authority's definition of the cease-fire called by PA Chairman Yasser Arafat allows for the continuation of forms of "popular expression" including rock throwing and firebombs. Though both Israel and the Palestinians have announced their acceptance of the Mitchell Commission report, it remains unclear whether the commission's call for a cease-fire includes the more violent forms of popular expression that led to the serious attack on Yehuda Shoham.
Additional incidents of Palestinian violence occurred yesterday, though at a slightly lesser intensity. Shortly after the Shoham baby was injured, shots were fired at an Israeli Arab traveling in a car bearing Israeli plates between Nablus and Kedumim. An IDF spokesman said the man was a moneychanger who was in Palestinian territory collecting debts. The incident occurred in the same place where Gilad Zar was murdered last week. Around midnight, shots were also on the road where the Shoham family was attacked. The IDF closed the road to traffic.
In the southern section of the Gaza Strip, Palestinians used heavy gunfire to attack IDF forces working to block underground tunnels used to smuggle weapons across the Egyptian border.
Clashes took place outside Ramallah, where demonstrators marched with banners that said, "No to the cease-fire." Israeli troops fired tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the crowd, and at least six Palestinians were wounded.
This morning Israeli police and security forces went on high alert throughout Israel to prevent additional bombing attacks. Police spokesmen said that there are general warnings about attacks, and roadblocks have been positioned at various locations. The warnings came after Palestinian militant factions, including the Hamas and Islamic Jihad, refuted earlier reports and announced yesterday that they would not abide by Arafat's call for a cease-fire.
Raanan Gissin, adviser to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, told a French news agency yesterday that Israel had given the Palestinian Authority a list of 300 suspected terrorists. Israel demanded that the PA arrest the men, or else Israel would deal with them itself, Gissin said. Israel Radio reported that the list includes the "most wanted" Hamas militants, Muhammad Deif and Mahmoud Abu Hanoud.
Closure being eased
Despite the continuing violence Defense Minister Benjamin Ben Eliezer announced yesterday that restrictions on the Palestinian population would be eased, due to the reduction in violent incidents in the past few days. The IDF will allow foodstuffs, agricultural goods, petrol and gas into Palestinian controlled territories.
Ben Eliezer also said that Palestinian workers would be allowed into the Erez industrial area for the first time since the strict closure was put into effect after Friday night's suicide bombing in Tel Aviv.
"The Palestinian Authority is obligated to take significant steps to halt the violence and the incitement. The reduction in violence in the past few days is a step in the right direction," Ben Eliezer said in a statement. The Defense Minister said earlier today, "We call on them to return to negotiations, and I call on Arafat, 'Habibi' (Arabic for 'my friend'), return to the negotiating table."
Israeli diplomatic sources yesterday denied reports that Yasser Arafat's helicopter had been grounded in Ramallah. The media had reported that Israel was preventing Arafat from flying to Gaza. "No request has been received through the acceptable channels by Yasser Arafat seeking to fly over Judea and Samaria," said a statement by Yarden Vatikai, media adviser to Defense Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer. Even so, Gaza's Dahaniya Airport remains closed to all air traffic.
The Yesha Council, representatives of the Jewish settlements in Judea and Samaria, demanded that the Defense Minister show that his "heart is not hardened in light of the [Shoham] baby's plight" and immediately rescind the relaxations [on the Palestinian territories]. "The so-called cease-fire is fictitious," a statement issued by the Council charged.
Wednesday morning Israeli demonstrators blocked roads where the stoning of the Shoham family occurred. Arutz Sheva reported that dozens of Shilo and neighboring residents blocked the road this morning to Arab traffic. A clash ensued, and IDF soldiers continue to attempt to restore order. At least one Arab structure has been burnt down, and some Israelis were reported to have attempted to enter the nearby Arab village. Palestinians reportedly shot at the demonstrators. Israeli soldiers were called in and restored ordering using tear gas and rubber bullets.
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