'Targeting of Messianic youth was terror attack'

"This is someone who has harmed us not because we are different but only because they have a problem with our existence here in the land of Israel. This is a terror attack," said A. Sunday of the incident in which his 15-year-old brother was seriously wounded last week in the settlement of Ariel.

He remains hospitalized at

the Beilinson Hospital in serious but stable condition after doctors were forced to amputate his leg.

A. told Ynet that his family has often suffered harassment due to their affiliation with the controversial Messianic Jewish sect. "There were small things, non-threatening, people tried to organize protests and have us expelled from school but we never thought that someone would try to kill us," he said.

The 24-year-old says his family, which immigrated to Israel from New York in 1989, is both "Jewish and Zionist" and no different than many other families.

"There are a great many (Messianic) families in Ariel and in Israel in general. Everyone has different opinions but this is a democratic country, my parents aren't doing anything out of the ordinary," he said.

Since the incident, says A., his family has received a great deal of support: "Lots of friends have come by, from the communities, from Ariel, from my brother's school… my parents are alright, we're getting lots of support and that strengthens them. We're staying here forever, this is my home."

Police have launched a criminal investigation into the incident.