Every few months the issue of Arab attacks against Jews visiting Har HaZeisim is back in the news. Elected officials at times raise the issue in Knesset, and police usually respond with a firm commitment to continue improving conditions.
The Knesset Interior Committee held a special session on the matter this week amid a growing number of complaints by people heading to the beis hachaim and being attacked by Arabs hurling rocks at their vehicles as well as at mispallalim at the beis hachaim. There has been talk of more cameras, increased patrols and the like, but in actuality, travel to Har HaZeisim is all too often synonymous with being targeted in rock attacks or worse.
The committee session was held on Monday morning, 8 Kislev in response to a request from the International Committee for the Preservation of Har HaZeisim. http://harhazeisim.org/ Among those present were Yahadut Hatorah MKs Yaakov Litzman, Menachem Eliezer Moses, Yisrael Eichler, Yaakov Asher, and Uri Maklev as were MKs Orit Struk (Bayit Yehudi), David Azoulai (Shas), Avraham Lubinsky, who heads the international Har HaZeisim effort, Jerusalem Councilman Aryeh King, senior police commanders and other officials.
Moses spoke of his own personal experience, when he was attacked during a visit on erev rosh chodesh. “People are afraid to come to daven here. They are afraid to buy kevarim here since rocks are thrown on all the access roads to Har HaZeisim,” Moses added.
“Who would have believed that Har HaZeisim would become a dangerous place that people are afraid to visit? Police are underestimating the situation and a change must be made” stated MK Avraham Michaeli of Shas.
Former MK Prof. Aryeh Elad spoke of the problem of a lack of security and police presence. “When Israel Police wants to it knows how to provide a solution. It is simply a matter of desire and priorities, nothing more. Police can bring an end to the suffering of the thousands wishing the place if is so desires. It can restore the tranquility. Each agency blames another and ultimately, there is no security.”
MK Litzman added “The matter of security for Har HaZeisim must remain a priority. This includes public transportation to Har HaZeisim, which demand improvement.”
MK Maklev stated “The committee session is not a popular one but that is not to say it is not a very important matter. It must be addressed today. I suggest that we establish an agency with the necessary authority to address the issues at hand. The current situation in which people are victimized and kevarim vandalized is very bad and if this occurred in Europe we would be shouting but when is occurs in Yerushalayim, all remain silent.”
MK Asher said “Har HaZeisim is not just another beis hachaim. The State of Israel invests sizable sums for security of events but for some reason, it does not seem to find the resources for Har HaZeisim. We must do our outmost to restore the quite to the area.”
Rav Chaim Miller, who heads the Committee for Jerusalem spoke as well, adding “If police do not begin providing serious security for Har HaZeisim it will end with loss of life.” He added that some 20 years ago his grandfather asked not to be buried there for he feared people would be afraid to come to be mispallel at the kever.
The police response was filled with evasive statements, not really addressing the severity of the matter as hoped. Committee Chairwoman Miri Regev expressed her disappointment with the police response. “I am considering halting all municipal policing nationwide until this matter is resolved” she threatened, adding “Citizens cannot visit Har HaZeisim in safety today. I will speak to the Minister of Public Security about the matter. I will see to it that there is security on Har HaZeisim.”
Regev added she will summon Minister of Public Security Yitzchak Aharonovich to appear before the committee, setting another meeting in two months.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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One Response
Setting another meeting in two months is a travesty. It should be in two days or better yet immediately. Outrageous delays and ignoring flagrantly obvious abuse is typical of the police and the criminal justice system.