'Police allowed rioters to hurt us’
Residents of Jabel Mukaber upset at police a day after rightists riot in village
On top of the already prevalent tension between Jews and Arabs in Israel, the residents of the Jabel Mukaber village in east Jerusalem must deal with the fact that a terrorist has arisen in their midst, and subsequent rightist demands for revenge. On the day following Jewish rioting in the community, its streets have been almost totally drained of life. What do the residents have to say?
The monument for tolerance that is being built at the entrance to Jabel Mukaber contradicts the present situation in this complex and divided area: On one side of the debate is a terrorist that has executed a murderous attack, and on the other, radical right-wing activists seeking revenge.
“What is it all worth? Each side is destructive,” says Ali, a 60-year old resident, to Ynet. “I was surprised to discover that the martyr was from the town. He was a nice guy. I think this situation should be stopped already.”
‘We are seeking tolerance and peace’
The shooter that perpetrated the attack at the Mercaz Harav yeshiva lived across the street from the girls’ school, and some of the town’s dignitaries still keep his family company there. “We are seeking tolerance and peace,” the terrorist’s uncle told Ynet. “I worry about future generations. What will happen to them, with the intensifying violence?”
Despite the atmosphere of reconciliation he presents, when asked whether he would denounce the attack, the uncle replied, “That’s a question I can’t answer.”
There are also those who prefer to discuss Sunday’s events. The village leader complained to Ynet about the police force’s failure to detain the right-wing activists responsible for the riot: “They stood in front of the houses in good positions, but took their time detaining the settlers who were hurling stones.”
Thus, today, the Jerusalem Magistrate’s Court extended the remand of five out of six of the demonstrators suspected of being responsible for the riot in Jabel Mukaber. An additional detainee was released with a 15-day restraining order prohibiting him from going near the area.
