J'lem: Tires slashed in protest of freeze
Graffiti sprayed in French Hill neighborhood saying, 'Danger, construction site'. Vandals slash tires of residents' vehicles, leave notes saying, 'If we are frozen, we will freeze your lives as well'. Police suspect rightists against settlement freeze behind acts
Slashed tires and graffiti against the settlement freeze – These are the acts of vandalism residents of Jerusalem's French Hill neighborhood awoke to Tuesday morning.
Police sources told Ynet they suspect right-wing activists are behind the deeds, and said, "This is a serious incident which will be pursued in full until the suspects are detained."
Residents of the capital's Lehi Street filed complaints with the police on Tuesday that their vehicles' tires were slashed. Police forces arrived at the scene to find some 20 cars with slashed tires parked along the street.
Notes condemning the settlement construction freeze were found on the cars' windshields. In addition, graffiti was found on walls in the area with the words: "Danger, construction site".
Graffiti in French Hill neighborhood reads: "Price tag" (Photo: Gil Yohanan)
Police immediately launched an investigation into the incident. Police sources said, "We view the matter of damaging civilians' vehicles as a serious one. An intensive investigation has been launched."
The cars that were damaged all carry Israeli license plates. Police estimate that the perpetrators meant to damage cars belonging to Arab residents of the neighborhood.
Amer Abu-Leil, the owner of one of the damaged vehicles, told Ynet that the residents found graffiti on the walls and on vehicles saying things such as, "This is a price tag" and, "If we are frozen, we will freeze your lives as well".
Abu-Leil said that the vandals did not stop at slashing tires – some of the vehicles also had their mirrors damaged, with papers reading: "When our lives are in danger, your lives will also be in danger, and our lives won't be the only ones to be frozen."
Later Tuesday, Yesha Council chairman Danny Dayan condemned the act, saying, "Our fight against the freeze must be held without any violence on our part as has been the case until now in all of our communities."
He added, "The slashing of tires and acts of similar nature conducted in Jerusalem are wrong and foolish. They are morally illegitimate and cause damage to the our battle."
Protests against the cabinet's decision to freeze construction in settlements continue each day, both in settlements and within the Green Line. Some 60 right-wing activists on Monday tired to block the entrance road to Jerusalem.
Police forces removed the demonstrators, and eight were arrested.
Ali Waked contributed to this report
