|
|
| By Israel Insider staff and partners August 5, 2005 |
|
| |
 |
| The gutted and bloodied bus surrounded by the Arab mob in Shfaram. (AP) |
| |
Around 5:30 pm, an IDF deserter known to security forces as an extremist from the Israeli city of Rishon Lezion and a frequent visitor to the settlement of Tapuach, opened fire inside an Egged bus #165 after riding it to the northern Druze town of Shfaram in northern Israel.
A driver and 3 passengers, including two teenage girls, were killed and 6 were wounded. The shooter was arrested by 5 or 6 policemen, who failed to protect the shooter from the mob, which overwhelmed them. The shooter was lynched by blows from enraged local Arabs.
A mob of more than a thousand surrounded the bus after the attack. Arab radicals whipped the mob into a frenzy, singing nationalist songs and throwing objects at the bus and the police, preventing them from removing the body of the shooter for more than four hours.
Eden Natan-Zada, 19, originally from the southern city of Rishon Letzion and believed by the Shin Bet as a right wing radical and rabble-rouser who lived in the Samarian settlement of Tapuach, had apparently deserted the army months ago, but retained his uniform and weapon. He had served a month in prison for refusing to participate in the army's preparations to expel Jews. Channel Two reported that he was a member of the Kach organization.
"We all feared an attack like this," Israeli internal security minister Gideon Ezra said.
Arab Knesset Member Mohammed Barakeh (Hadash-Ta'al) classified the incident as a terror
attack. "We are witnessing attempts by extreme right-wing people, terrorists, who want to set the region ablaze and feel they have freedom of action in light of the behavior of the security, political and judicial establishment," he said.
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon issued a statement: "This was a reprehensible act by a bloodthirsty Jewish terrorist who sought to attack innocent Israeli citizens. This terrorist event was a deliberate attempt to harm the fabric of relations among all Israeli citizens.
Terrorism by civilians against civilians is the most dangerous thing affecting the future of the State of Israel and its stability as a democracy."
"On my behalf and that of the Government, I send condolences to the families of those who were murdered and my best wishes for a quick recovery to those who were wounded. The entire State of Israel, regardless of race, religion or sex, strongly condemns this act of terrorism. The Government is determined to protect the lives of Israel's citizens, from all ethnic communities and sectors; I have instructed the security services to accord the highest priority to investigating this terrorist attack."
"At this difficult hour for the State of Israel, I call on all public leaders in Israel -- Jewish, Muslim, Christian and Druze -- to work together in an effort to maintain the internal fabric of relations and to act responsibly and with restraint, and to allow the legal authorities to finish their investigation of this awful terrorist attack."
Security on Highest Alert for Riots
Police and security forces are desperately worried about the potential for Arab riots, especially tomorrow as Moslems gather for Friday prayers, especially in Jerusalem.
They are strengthening forces in Israel's north and in its capital. The need for reinforcements will weaken police and army presence in the area around Gaza and may impact on expulsion preparations.
Analysts speculated that Suberi may have timed his attack for maximal effect, drawing massive Israeli security forces north and to Jerusalem, leaving reduced forces to expel Jews from their homes in the Gaza Strip.
|
|
 
|
|
|
|
Click on the blue headline to read a Talkback comment and respond to it. Click on the  icon to send a private email to the talkback writer. The icon appears only if the writer has decided to be contacted. If no popup window appears, please make sure your popup blocker allows israelinsider.com.
|
|
| |
|
|
