A Jewish mother living in the Judean community of Karmei Tzur, located between Gush Etzion and Kiryat Arba-Hevron, narrowly escaped with her life when PA terrorists launched a rock attack this week on Highway 60, the main artery that runs from north to south in eastern Judea and Samaria. But it turns out that Zehava Weiss was not the only victim this Tuesday, as she told Arutz Sheva in an Internet correspondence.
“While traveling between El Aroub and Beit Ummar on the ascent I noticed a car approaching from the opposite direction with a damaged front window, from a rock that must have previously landed,” she said. "I naively presumed that it was the result of an old incident that hadn't yet been fixed.”
As Weiss approached the center of the PA Arab town of Beit Ummar, however – an area that is usually cluttered with numerous taxis pulling in, pulling out and parked in every which-way – she observed a man racing across the road.
"I first thought that this was a soldier with a rifle, and I slowed down to grasp what was happening,” she said.
"I then noticed dozens of people, old, young and teenagers congregating on my right. It then became apparent that the 'soldier with a rifle' was actually a photographer with a camera. He was seeking a better picture angle to snap away at what was about to happen,” Weiss realized.
"On my left were at least two other photographers, waiting for the action. I should emphasize that I was not the first victim and other cars had already been stoned and so these press photographers were well aware of what was happening, and what was about to happen to me.
"None of them, it seems, thought to call for assistance from the police or IDF – none of whom were present.”
Knowing she wouldn't survive if she didn't continue driving, Weiss kept going. “If I had slowed down, I would have been trapped and blocked off,” she pointed out. "The only thing in my mind was to proceed home and not get caught at that crossing. It was difficult to pass through as the rocks came from a distance of just a few feet from the car – 'zero range' as we say. The rioters clearly could see that the car contained two young females, defenseless. We were struck by many rocks; my view was blocked by the cracked glass.
'I simply concentrated on getting out of there as quickly as I could. It was only when I arrived home that I realized the entire front of the car was covered with shattered glass particles, including me, the infant seat, the back seat – everything. There was also damage caused to the sides of the car. At least eight large rocks and blocks had hit my car.”
Later reports confirmed the rock attacks continued after Weiss escaped, resulting in damage to other vehicles and trauma to other drivers and passengers as well. Equally disturbing -- or more so -- was the fact that the terrorists no longer seem to fear the long arm of the IDF.
"These terrorists had no qualms about not covering their faces during their attempt at murder,” Weiss pointed out. “We try to overcome [our own] fear and to live our everyday lives. We are believing people, with faith. After an incident like this we pronounce the benediction 'Blessed is He Who bestows good things on those unworthy, and has bestowed on me every goodness.' We believe in goodness, and that it will overcome evil," Weiss said.
"We only pray and hope that people in Israel and around the world will finally recognize the truth – that our enemies, the Arabs who fight us, wish for evil. They want destruction, which we wish for good and want peace, even with our neighbors. We wish for life.”
