Hamas welcomes Gush Etzion terror attack
After father of four, Ari Fuld, is stabbed to death in Gush Etzion, Gaza-ruling terror group praises 16-year-old Palestinian terrorist, says attack reflects Palestinian people's 'will to continue the Jerusalem intifada'; Islamic Jihad says stabbing a 'natural response' to 'crimes perpetrated by the Zionist terrorists against our people.'
"We welcome the stabbing attack in Bethlehem, which coincided with the killings of our people during the March of Return," Hamas said in a statement, linking the attack to the events along the southern border.
The terrorist was identified as Khalil Jabarin from the Palestinian village of Yatta near Hebron. Fuld gave chase after being stabbed and attempted to shoot at his attacker. However, Jabarin was eventually shot and neutralized by a passerby.
"The attack makes it clear that our people wish to continue the Jerusalem intifada. To resist the occupation, by using all means necessary, is our legitimate right,” the terror group's statement continued.
The Islamic Jihad reiterated the statement, calling the stabbing a “natural response” to Israeli crimes.
"The attack is a natural response to the aggression and crimes perpetrated by the Zionist terrorists against our people, our land and our holy places. We praise our people in the West Bank and call for a continuation of resistance against Israel and attacks against the settlers,” the statement concluded.
Bayit Yehudi chairman and Education Minister Naftali Bennett addressed the terror attack on his official Facebook page.
"Ari Fuld is an Israeli hero … Ari Fuld, who was murdered today in the stabbing attack in Gush Etzion, did not stop fighting until he neutralized the terrorist. He was stabbed in the back and still ran after the perpetrator, pulled out a gun and fired before he collapsed, just to stop the terrorist from harming others," Bennett wrote. "Our nation salutes the Fuld family. Rest in peace.”
Oded Ravivi, head of the Efrat Council, described Fuld as a man who spent his entire life combining Torah with self defense.
“He engaged a lot in Hasbara (PR) for Israel in the world, volunteered his whole life and it is not surprising that in the end he fell while defending citizens of the State of Israel,” he said.
“A despicable terrorist stabbed him from behind. Despite the serious wounds … he managed to get up and open fire, he managed to hit the terrorist. Unfortunately, the wound was so serious that we were forced to pronounce his death,” he said.
Yesha Council Chairman Hananel Dorani called for the immediate demolition of the terrorist’s home.
“Recently there have been delays in home demolitions of terrorists. These delays damage our deterrence against deadly terror. The demolition of terrorists’ homes must be carried out swiftly in order to strengthen our deterrence,” Dorani said.
“The families who raise terrorists must know that terror attacks are not answer by us with silence and that they will pay the price,” he added.
