Arab Rock Attacks Increase in Jerusalem Despite Peace Talks

Despite peace negotiations with Israel, Palestinian rock attacks on Jerusalem civilians are on the rise.

A 15-year-old boy and a 40-year old man were wounded when Palestinian terrorists threw rocks at their bus, which was travelling from the Neve Ya’akov neighborhood toward central Jerusalem. The bus was targeted at the Uzi Narkiss Bridge. One of the victims sustained light injuries, while the second was reported to be in moderate condition. The two terror victims were treated at a local hospital. The window of the bus was also reportedly shattered.

This latest rock attack comes a few days after 15 Jewish Israelis were wounded in two separate rock throwing terror attacks near the Old City of Jerusalem. In one of the attacks, near the Damascus Gate, Palestinian terrorists threw a rock at a bus full of Jewish Israeli passengers. Twelve of the wounded passengers were family members. The family included a married couple with ten children, ranging from age one-year-old to 19, who had come from Northern Israel to visit the Western Wall in Jerusalem. The family members suffered mild injuries. An additional man and his son were also injured. That same day, in a separate incident, an Israeli was wounded lightly by Palestinian rock throwers.

Terrorists also recently attacked innocent civilians with rocks at the Emunah College of Arts and Technology in Jerusalem during an art exhibition. One of the rocks struck a 10-year-old girl in the head who sustained minor injuries. This is part of a growing trend in Jerusalem.

Israeli police remain unsure what prompted these attacks, but speculate that recent political developments and the observance of the month of Ramadan could have played a role. Traditionally during the month of Ramadan, anti-Israel series are broadcast on television to entertain fasting Muslims that lack the energy to leave their homes. Often, incitement motivates anti-Semitic attacks, such as the Ramadan vandalism at the Tomb of the Patriarchs in Hebron.

By Rachel Avraham, staff writer for United With Israel