Despite a deadly attack in Hevron yesterday evening, in which Arab gunmen murdered Jerusalem resident and father of seven Shlomo Yitchak Shapira, 48, thousands of Israelis from communities near and far arrived in the ancient Jewish city to partake in the scheduled Sukkot holiday celebrations. Hevron spokeswoman Orit Struck told Arutz Sheva's Haggai Segal that people began pouring in en masse over two hours prior to a free concert by world renowned Chasidic singer Mordechai Ben-David. Visitors also gathered to partake in prayers at the Ma'arat HaMachpela (Cave of the Patriarchs). Struck added that the large attendance proves that despite the terror, Israelis were undeterred from showing their support for the residents of Hevron.
In yesterday's incident, Shapira was gunned down on the outskirts of Hevron's Casba (market) adjacent to the Avraham Avinu neighborhood. He was laid to rest in Jerusalem's Har Menuchot Cemetery last night. Shapira's sons Yehudah, 18, Pinchas, 12, and Yehoshua (ben Rivka) were wounded in the attack. Yeshoshua is listed in serious condition with gunshot wounds to the stomach and pelvic area. He underwent emergency surgery last night, which lasted for over 11 hours. His older siblings are listed as light-to-moderate.
Hevron community spokesman David Wilder commented on the incident during his weekly segment on Arutz Sheva radio. He asked, "How is it that a person takes his family to enjoy a day during the Sukkot holiday and does not return home?" Wilder said that the residents of Hevron expect the IDF and Israeli government to "take the necessary measures to ensure that no harm come to anyone living in, or visiting Hevron." He added that Hevron residents have "warned military officers and political leaders that Arafat’s forces were populating the Casba with terrorists and an absence of any Jewish presence in the Casba would lead to terror attacks aimed at the community."
In yesterday's incident, Shapira was gunned down on the outskirts of Hevron's Casba (market) adjacent to the Avraham Avinu neighborhood. He was laid to rest in Jerusalem's Har Menuchot Cemetery last night. Shapira's sons Yehudah, 18, Pinchas, 12, and Yehoshua (ben Rivka) were wounded in the attack. Yeshoshua is listed in serious condition with gunshot wounds to the stomach and pelvic area. He underwent emergency surgery last night, which lasted for over 11 hours. His older siblings are listed as light-to-moderate.
Hevron community spokesman David Wilder commented on the incident during his weekly segment on Arutz Sheva radio. He asked, "How is it that a person takes his family to enjoy a day during the Sukkot holiday and does not return home?" Wilder said that the residents of Hevron expect the IDF and Israeli government to "take the necessary measures to ensure that no harm come to anyone living in, or visiting Hevron." He added that Hevron residents have "warned military officers and political leaders that Arafat’s forces were populating the Casba with terrorists and an absence of any Jewish presence in the Casba would lead to terror attacks aimed at the community."