Ayala Shapira, victim of the attack
Ayala Shapira, victim of the attackCourtesy Shapira Family

Ministers, MKs, and community leaders expressed outrage at Thursday's attack on a Ma'ale Shomron resident and his eleven year old daughter. Deputy director of the Samaria Regional Council, Yossi Dagan, said that all the resources of the Council are being thrown into the search for the culprits and into developing methods to prevent a repeat.

“This was a serious attack. The ease on the strictures we have given terrorists has led to many attacks on our roads. It is illogical how we are letting them do this,” he said.

“No country in the world would tolerate this situation,” he continued. “We call on the Prime Minister to use a heavy hand against these monsters, despite what some hypocrites in the European Union would say. We support our soldiers and security forces at this difficult time.”

The victim, Avner Shapira and his 11 year old daughter Ayala were attacked by Arab terrorists who threw a firebomb at his vehicle Thursday night. The two suffered burns, but managed to escape from their burning vehicle. They were treated on the scene by Magen David Adom rescue workers and taken to a hospital in Kfar Sava. The girl is said to be in very serious condition by doctors.

The incident occurred on a service road between Maale Shomron and the new community of El-Matan. Ma'ale Shomron is located off Road 55, which stretches between Kfar Sava and Shechem. IDF troops were in pursuit of the terrorists.

Housing Minister Uri Ariel (Jewish Home) called on the army to retaliate to firebombs as it does to attacks from the Gaza Strip.

"Firebombs have one goal - to kill Jews," he said in a statement, calling on the prime minister and army to respond with "severity and harshness."

MK Nissan Slomiansky (Jewish Home) slammed the Left for its role in facilitating the attack. “When a little girl is hurt by a firebomb we should keep in mind who it was that prevented the transfer of funds to protect private vehicles and public transportation in Judea and Samaria, arguing about every shekel that was allocated. Throwing a rock or a firebomb is attempted murder,” he added. “There are many people who face terror every day. Residents of Judea and Samaria deserve security like everyone else in Israel.”

MK Orit Struk (Jewish Home) said that “this shocking attack must be a line in the sand in our relations with wicked Arab terror. A government that wants to truly prevent attacks on little girls traveling in cars must begin taking clear steps against terrorists and show them that their actions will not pay off. It's not just about punishment – we must take an important Zionist step such as strengthening Israeli control of the land wherever we can.

Former Judea and Samaria Council head Dani Dayan, a resident of Ma'ale Shomron, was at the scene of the attack minutes after it occurred. “Ma'ale Shomron is my home, but now it is a terror target. One of my friends and neighbors was hurt, and his daughter seriously injured. We cannot accept this. Security forces must fight this terror with a strong hand,” he added.

Avi Na'im, chairman of the security council in the Local Authority and head of the Beit Aryeh local council, said that “the response to the throwing of a firebomb must be shooting the terrorists with intent to kill. An 11 year old girl on her way home with he father should not be a target.”

In recent months, there have been several rock and firebomb throwing incidents in the area of Road 55, which had been considered quiescent until recently. Several weeks ago, large numbers of IDF troops massed to successfully hold back a mob of Arabs from the neighboring village of Azzun who had attempted to march on Ma'ale Shomron.

Avner Shapira is the nephew of Sara Eliash. The article about her on Arutz Sheva's main page was posted just a few minutes before the news of the terror attack.