A Palestinian terrorist disguised as a worker - he actually worked for a Jewish employer for a period of time - opened fire at several Jews near the community of Pe'at Sadeh this morning, and murdered two. Security forces had received intelligence warnings of a likely terrorist attack, and the entering Arab workers were searched for weapons twice when they arrived this morning. It was to no avail, however, because after passing inspection, the terrorist quickly went to where he had hidden a weapon on a previous occasion, and opened fire. He murdered Amos Saada, 52, as well as Assaf Tzfirah, 18, son of the terrorist's employer. The town's security officer arrived within a few minutes and killed the Hamas terrorist, but not before being slightly wounded himself.
The attack occurred near the hothouses of Rafiach Yam - Israel's most western community, in southern Gush Katif. The two victims were buried in an Ashkelon cemetery this afternoon.
Does this double murder raise questions about the phenomenon of Arab labor in Gush Katif? Arutz-7's Ariel Kahane asked this question of Gaza Coast Regional Council head Avner Shimoni this morning, who responded, "There have been many attacks on public buses; does anyone propose that we stop riding on buses? ... The problem of terrorism is not unique to Gush Katif. They want to kill us wherever we are in Israel. We need an Operation Defensive Shield-style operation to wipe out the entire terrorist infrastructure in Gaza."
The IDF issued orders this afternoon banning Arab workers from entering Gush Katif. Jewish residents there say that under these circumstances, the government must increase their quota of foreign workers, or else their agricultural efforts and investments will have been in vain.
The Yesha Council called on new Defense Minister Sha'ul Mofaz to make clear in a most concrete manner that the coming election campaign will not become a vacuum in the war against terrorism.
The attack occurred near the hothouses of Rafiach Yam - Israel's most western community, in southern Gush Katif. The two victims were buried in an Ashkelon cemetery this afternoon.
Does this double murder raise questions about the phenomenon of Arab labor in Gush Katif? Arutz-7's Ariel Kahane asked this question of Gaza Coast Regional Council head Avner Shimoni this morning, who responded, "There have been many attacks on public buses; does anyone propose that we stop riding on buses? ... The problem of terrorism is not unique to Gush Katif. They want to kill us wherever we are in Israel. We need an Operation Defensive Shield-style operation to wipe out the entire terrorist infrastructure in Gaza."
The IDF issued orders this afternoon banning Arab workers from entering Gush Katif. Jewish residents there say that under these circumstances, the government must increase their quota of foreign workers, or else their agricultural efforts and investments will have been in vain.
The Yesha Council called on new Defense Minister Sha'ul Mofaz to make clear in a most concrete manner that the coming election campaign will not become a vacuum in the war against terrorism.