Arab rioters threw Molotov cocktails and rocks and fired fireworks towards Israeli forces throughout east Jerusalem.
https://www.jpost.com/-By TZVI JOFFRE
Israel Police confront Arab rioters in east Jerusalem, October 12, 2022(photo credit: ISRAEL POLICE)
Riots broke out throughout east Jerusalem and the West Bank on Wednesday night amid rising tensions surrounding IDF operations in Shuafat and Nablus and a visit by Jews to Joseph’s Tomb.
Arab rioters threw Molotov cocktails and rocks and fired fireworks towards Israeli forces throughout east Jerusalem starting early in the evening.
During riots in the Isawiya neighborhood, two police officers were lightly wounded. Police were investigating if the injuries were caused by a pipe bomb thrown at Israeli forces amid the riots.
Video published by Palestinian media showed rioters firing fireworks towards Israeli forces in multiple neighborhoods in east Jerusalem, including Ras al-Amud and Issawiya. Clashes were also reported in Silwan and Jabel Mukaber.
In the Beit Hanina-Neve Ya’akov intersection in Jerusalem and in Abu Tor, Arab rioters threw rocks at Israeli drivers. Riots also broke out in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood overnight after Jewish rioters threw stones at a mosque in the neighborhood, according to Israeli media.
In Silwan, video published online showed rioters torching a police car.
An additional video from the riots in east Jerusalem showed fireworks being fired directly at a Haredi man in the city.
In Kalandiya, located north of Jerusalem, armed Palestinian terrorists clashed with Border Police officers, according to Israel Police. No Israelis were injured in the clashes and searches are ongoing for the perpetrators.
Five Arabs suspected of taking part in the riots had been arrested by Israel Police in east Jerusalem as of Wednesday night.
In the West Bank, Palestinian rioters threw Molotov cocktails and stones at Israeli vehicles near Kedumim, Hebron and Psagot, among other locations.
Palestinians prepare for clashes in Nablus
Meanwhile, in the Nablus area, Palestinian terrorists burned tires and preparing to attack Israeli worshippers set to visit Joseph’s Tomb later in the night. While terrorists fired shots at Israeli forces as they entered the area with the worshippers, no injuries were reported throughout the visit.
Samaria Regional Council head Yossi Dagan and the rabbi of the Itamar settlement Rabbi Daniel Lunzer joined the worshippers at Joseph’s Tomb.
The Lion’s Den terrorist group, which has claimed responsibility for a series of shooting attacks in recent days, called on Palestinians to gather around Joseph’s Tomb and light tires on fire earlier in the day.
The Nablus Brigade of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad’s Al-Quds Brigades stated on Wednesday night that it was declaring “complete readiness” to confront Israeli forces in Nablus.
Earlier on Wednesday, the IDF placed a closure on Nablus, limiting entry and exit to only a few roads and imposing security checks following a rise in shooting attacks by the Lions’ Den group.
Additionally, Palestinian media affiliated with Hamas published calls for a Day of Rage to be held on Friday.
Public Security Minister Omer Bar Lev spoke with Israel Police Chief Kobi Shabtai amid the violence on Wednesday night.
“In recent hours, police forces and Border Police have been working to curb riots and disturbances in several locations in east Jerusalem. Israel Police restored order in most of the hotspots, and will continue to operate until calm is achieved,” tweeted Bar Lev. “We have no intention of allowing the violence to continue, and we are determined to act harshly against anyone who disrupts the order and endangers public peace and the safety of policemen.”
Right-wing leaders call for stronger action against terrorists
Shlomo Ne’eman, the head of the Gush Etzion Regional Council and chairman of the Yesha Council, responded to the violence on Wednesday night, saying “When we said a week ago that it was time to launch a protective wall operation for Israel, some thought it was a ‘settler problem.’ Tonight everyone understands and sees how the State of Israel is threatened by murderous Arab terrorism.”
“We must go deep plowing against terrorism. Not to kill mosquitoes, but to dry the swamps. We are again calling on Defense Minister [Benny] Gantz to wake up and act – strengthen and expand the settlements and embark on an extensive military operation which will end the terrorists’ hope and restore peace to the region.”
Interior Minister Ayelet Shaked visited the Beit Hanina neighborhood of east Jerusalem on Wednesday night, stressing that the neighborhood was “a battlefield for all intents and purposes.”
“We do not have the privilege of holding back with riots. This is about human life. Lapid, Gantz and Omer Bar Lev must wake up,” tweeted Shaked. “Heavy-handed treatment is required here – zero patience for terrorists, nullification of citizenship, 10-year prison sentences, curfews, relaxation of open-fire rules and the mobilization of Border Guard reserves.”
After visiting Joseph’s Tomb on Wednesday night, Dagan welcomed the decision by Gantz and IDF Chief of Staff Aviv Kohavi to allow the worshippers to visit Joseph’s Tomb despite the threats of Palestinian terrorist organizations.
“The goal of terrorism is for the State of Israel to be afraid of it and run away, and the only way to defeat terrorism is to fight back, to switch from defense to offense,” said Dagan.
The Samaria Regional Council head called on the government to launch “Operation Defensive Shield 2” (a reference to a large operation carried out by the IDF throughout the West Bank in 2002).
Anna Ahronheim contributed to this report.