Three Arabs were killed and five were injured in a drive-by shooting attack in the Hevron Hills area last night. The murders were initially attributed to Jews, partly because of an anonymous phone call claiming responsibility on behalf of an organization calling itself “The Committee for Safety on the Roads.” However, Israeli security agencies are investigating all avenues. The IDF has beefed up security in and around Hevron, to guard against possible Arab retaliatory attacks against Jews.
David Bedein of Israel Resource News Agency notes that the name of the above organization is the same as that used between 1988 and 1995 by groups that turned out to be run by GSS agent-provocateur Avishai Raviv. In its most famous case, one that prompted calls for the immediate evacuation of Jewish Hevron, the group took credit for the murder of an Arab in Halhoul in 1995; the murderer was later discovered to have been an Arab. Bedein said that he called Israel Radio last night and suggested that its news writers not accuse Jews of the murder until the police make such a determination. The news editor rebuffed him, Bedein related, but it was noted that later newscasts did in fact reflect the desired change.
The murders were immediately and sharply condemned last night across the Israeli political spectrum, including by President Katzav, Prime Minister Sharon, Meretz leader Yossi Sarid, and MK Michael Kleiner. Kleiner added that the fact that the Sharon-Peres government had \"been kind to the cruel\" and not responded forcefully to the past months of terrorism led to many Israelis feeling that the government is not protecting them. National Infrastructures Minister Avigdor Lieberman condemned the killings, and said, \"This is what happens when people feel abandoned.\" The Yesha Council condemned the attack and called upon police to do everything possible to apprehend the killers, but noted that it was not yet certain that Jews were in fact responsible - especially as the alleged getaway car was seen traveling towards the Green Line and away from the Jewish communities. The Council added that violence is counterproductive to the mission and goals of the settlement movement. Both Public Security Minister Uzi Landau and his Deputy, former GSS Deputy Chief Gideon Ezra, warned against premature conclusions as to the identity of the murderers.
Chief Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau said, \"With all our understanding for the difficulties, deep frustrations, and growing anger, there cannot be under any circumstances a regime… in which each citizen takes revenge and acts according to his own understanding and feelings… Revenge is in G-d\'s hands only…\" Rabbi Lau added, \"If it turns out that a Jew pulled the trigger, Israeli society must not condemn the entire public from which he sprouted.\"
Hevron Jewish Community spokesman Noam Arnon condemned \"all forms of violence,\" and added, \"The left has lost its moral right to condemn this murder, as it embraces the Arab murderers every day.\"
David Bedein of Israel Resource News Agency notes that the name of the above organization is the same as that used between 1988 and 1995 by groups that turned out to be run by GSS agent-provocateur Avishai Raviv. In its most famous case, one that prompted calls for the immediate evacuation of Jewish Hevron, the group took credit for the murder of an Arab in Halhoul in 1995; the murderer was later discovered to have been an Arab. Bedein said that he called Israel Radio last night and suggested that its news writers not accuse Jews of the murder until the police make such a determination. The news editor rebuffed him, Bedein related, but it was noted that later newscasts did in fact reflect the desired change.
The murders were immediately and sharply condemned last night across the Israeli political spectrum, including by President Katzav, Prime Minister Sharon, Meretz leader Yossi Sarid, and MK Michael Kleiner. Kleiner added that the fact that the Sharon-Peres government had \"been kind to the cruel\" and not responded forcefully to the past months of terrorism led to many Israelis feeling that the government is not protecting them. National Infrastructures Minister Avigdor Lieberman condemned the killings, and said, \"This is what happens when people feel abandoned.\" The Yesha Council condemned the attack and called upon police to do everything possible to apprehend the killers, but noted that it was not yet certain that Jews were in fact responsible - especially as the alleged getaway car was seen traveling towards the Green Line and away from the Jewish communities. The Council added that violence is counterproductive to the mission and goals of the settlement movement. Both Public Security Minister Uzi Landau and his Deputy, former GSS Deputy Chief Gideon Ezra, warned against premature conclusions as to the identity of the murderers.
Chief Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau said, \"With all our understanding for the difficulties, deep frustrations, and growing anger, there cannot be under any circumstances a regime… in which each citizen takes revenge and acts according to his own understanding and feelings… Revenge is in G-d\'s hands only…\" Rabbi Lau added, \"If it turns out that a Jew pulled the trigger, Israeli society must not condemn the entire public from which he sprouted.\"
Hevron Jewish Community spokesman Noam Arnon condemned \"all forms of violence,\" and added, \"The left has lost its moral right to condemn this murder, as it embraces the Arab murderers every day.\"