Wounded professor says attack threatens democracy

Ze'ev Sternhell, targeted by a pipe bomb at his Jerusalem home, says attacks of this kind undermine pillars of Israeli democracy; professor adds he is not intimidated, but says the fact his family could have been hurt unforgivable
Ronen Medzini

Professor Ze'ev Sternhell, who was lightly wounded after a pipe bomb exploded near his Jerusalem home, said Thursday evening that attacks of this kind could undermine Israel's democracy.

"If this act was not perpetrated by a lone madman, but rather, by an element representing a political or public movement, this is the start of the road to dismantling democracy," he told Ynet.

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According to Sternhell, the very act attests to the "fragility of Israel's democracy and the need to determinedly and decisively enlist to protect democracy."

"On the person level, if the intension was to scare me, it should be clear that they won't be able to intimidate me," the professor added. "However, the perpetrators sought to harm not only me, but rather, any family member who may have opened the door, and for this there is no forgiveness or repentance."

Earlier Thursday, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert joined those condemning the attack on Sternhell, characterizing it as a "shocking incident." The PM added that security authorities have already launched an investigation into the attack and were instructed to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Meanwhile, about 20 lecturers and students from Jerusalem's Hebrew university gathered outside Sternhell's home Thursday evening. The protestors called on Israelis to denounce violence and respect democracy.

At this time, the Shin Bet's Jewish Division and the police are investigating the attack on Sternhell. A gag order has been issued on the details of the probe.