Arlene from Israel

Late this afternoon, there was a terror attack in Jerusalem.  An Arab from eastern Jerusalem ran his car into a group of people who were waiting at the Ammunition Hill station of the light rail.  Eight people were injured.

Scene of light rail terror attack

Credit: Flash 90

A three-month old baby girl, badly hurt at the scene, died shortly thereafter in the hospital.

A heartbreaker: Apparently the parents had been trying for years to have a baby. They were on the way from praying at the Kotel (Western Wall) when they were attacked.  The baby’s grandparents had just come in from the US to meet their new grandchild. They had only hours with her before she was taken from them.

Is there no end??

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The terrorist tried to flee the scene on foot and was shot; he was badly wounded but is not dead.   Identified as Abdur Rahman Slodi of Silwan, he had previously served in Israeli prison for terrorist activities – according to press reports.

Frankly, I hope he is in a lot of pain.

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It is news past due: Public Security Minister Yitzhak Aharonovitch has announced the formation of a new police unit dedicated to dealing with the “unrest” in Jerusalem.

Today we saw a full-blown terrorist attack, but for the most part the “unrest” refers to Arabs throwing stones and Molotov Cocktails, and firecrackers and even, on at least one occasion that I am aware of, fireworks.  They function at a level that tends to be less than lethal, but feels unsafe (IS unsafe) and vastly uncomfortable.  This is the “silent intifada” designed to drive out Jews from certain areas of Jerusalem.

Along with the new police unit are plans for adjustment in the law that makes it easier to cope with minors, who are major participants of that “silent intifada.”

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Meanwhile, in Berlin, Kerry, in a joint press conference with German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, declared current relations between Israel and the Palestinian Arabs “unsustainable.”

Saying that United States was aware of the urgency of the situation, he indicated that it was necessary to find a way to negotiate.

I would call him a clown. but nothing seems very funny right now.

Actually, I rather agree that the current situation is “unsustainable.” But what I have in mind is not precisely what he is referring to.

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Hamas spokesman Hossam Badran, in a statement for official Hamas television, declared: “This is a natural response to the crimes of the occupation and invasion of our land by the Jews, particularly on the [Temple Mount].

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There a connection between the attitude reflected by this Hamas statement and Kerry’s assessment that the current situation cannot be sustained.  He is caught up in the distorted vision of Israel as “occupier.”  Poor suffering “Palestinians,” whose situation must be remedied. No matter the cost to Israel.