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by | Mar 18, 2018 | Galanthus

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On 5 November 2014, in a terrorist ramming attack, a Hamas operative[1] deliberately drove a van at high speed into a crowd of people waiting at the Shimon HaTzadik light rail station in the Arzei HaBira neighborhood of Jerusalem.

Attack

The perpetrator drove his van into a crowd of people at a light rail stop then left his van, and attacked nearby pedestrians with a metal crowbar.[2] Police and Border Police forces then stated the perpetrator came at them with the crowbar, and in response shot the driver, killing him.[3] Three people were killed, and thirteen others were wounded.[2]

Perpetrator

The perpetrator, Ibrahim al-Akri, was a resident of Shuafat, held Israeli citizenship, and was a known supporter of Hamas.[2] His brother, Musa al-Akri, was a member of the Hamas cell that murdered border policeman Nissim Toledano in 1992. He was released from Israeli prison in the Gilad Shalit prisoner exchange and exiled to Turkey.[4] The attack comes shortly after Ibrahim al-Akari was released from prison due to security concerns.[5] His family stated that his "martyrdom" was in response to the recent issues involving the Temple Mount.[6] His funeral was attended by thousands of Palestinians holding signs calling al-Akri a hero and a martyr, as well as calling for the death to more Israel Defense Forces' soldiers.[7]

Victims

The first man killed was identified as Border Police officer Jedan Assad, 38, from the Druze village of Beit Jann.[8] Assad was a father to a three-year-old boy, and his wife was five months pregnant with their second child at the time of his death.[8][9] President Reuven Rivlin visited the family, describing Assad as "a devoted family man, a tremendous soldier", and calling the Druze community "an inseparable part of the Israeli experience".[10]

Shalom Aharon Baadani, 17, died from his wounds in the Hadassah Medical Center two days later.[11] Baadani was riding his bicycle at the time of the attack when he was struck by the moving vehicle.[12]

Abd al-Karim Nafith Hamid, 60, from Anata in the West Bank died of his injuries on 7 December. He had been cared for at Jerusalem's Shaare Zedek Medical Center since the attack.[13]

In addition to the deaths, several other people, including police officers, suffered varying injuries. According to Magen David Adom, a total of ten people were injured, with one in critical condition, two seriously, three moderately, and four with slight wounds.[8]

Response

Jerusalem police placed concrete barriers at light rail stations to prevent future attacks.[4]

In response to the attack, Jordan announced that they will be recalling their ambassador to Israel due to the unrest. Additionally, they will be filling a motion with the United Nations Security Council over the continued unrest in Jerusalem.[14]

Hamas claimed responsibility for the attack[15] and called the driver a martyr who succeeded in his "heroic operation."[16] Hamas also called on the Palestinian people to continue such attacks against Israel in defense of al-Aksa.[16]

Aqari's 16-year-old son said, "When I got home, I heard about the attack and I was very happy." Aqari's wife described her husband's motive for going on a killing spree, saying, "From the morning hours he kept close watch on what was happening at Al-Aqsa. He saw the blood, the wounded, the desecration and everything that was going on. He quickly left the house and went to the place of the attack to earn a place for himself among the shahids [martyrs] and heroes."[17]

John Kerry, the United States Secretary of State, spoke out against the attack, calling for peacemakers to control the peace process.[18]

See also

References

  1. ^ Dvir, Noam (5 November 2014). "LIVE: Terror attack in Jerusalem kills 1, terrorist shot dead". Ynetnews. Retrieved 5 November 2014.
  2. ^ a b c Eisenbud, Daniel K. (5 November 2014). "Terror in Jerusalem: One dead as Palestinian driver rams van into crowded light rail station". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 5 November 2014.
  3. ^ Kershner, Isabel (5 November 2014). "Driver Plows Into Pedestrians Near Jerusalem Train Station". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 16 April 2015. Retrieved 5 November 2014.
  4. ^ a b "In wake of attacks, concrete blocks to protect light rail stations". Israel HaYom. 6 November 2014.
  5. ^ "Police: 1 dead after car rams Jerusalem train platform in terror attack". Fox News. 5 November 2014. Retrieved 5 November 2014.
  6. ^ Toameh, Khaled Abu (5 November 2014). "Family of slain terrorist 'proud' of Jerusalem attack, Al-Acri's 'martyrdom'". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 2023-04-20.
  7. ^ Sharon, Itamar (7 November 2014). "Riots erupt in capital as thousands mourn slain terrorist". Times of Israel. Retrieved 2023-04-20.
  8. ^ a b c Ho, Spencer (5 November 2014). "1 killed as driver plows into Jerusalem crowd in terror attack". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 5 November 2014.
  9. ^ Ho, Spencer (6 November 2014). "Thousands attend funeral of slain Border Police officer". Times of Israel. Retrieved 6 November 2014.
  10. ^ "Rivlin: Druze 'An Inseparable Part of Israeli Experience'". Arutz Sheva. 7 November 2014. Retrieved 18 November 2014.
  11. ^ "Teen hurt in Jerusalem light rail attack succumbs to wounds". The Jerusalem Post. 7 November 2014. Retrieved 2023-04-20.
  12. ^ Dvir, Noam; Nahshoni, Kobi (2014-11-06). "Anonymous terror victim identified using cellphone". Ynetnews. Retrieved 2023-04-20.
  13. ^ Newman, Marissa (8 December 2014). "Palestinian victim of Jerusalem car-ramming attack dies". Times of Israel. Retrieved 8 December 2014.
  14. ^ Eglash, Ruth; Booth, William (5 November 2014). "Palestinian attacker rams car into Jerusalem rail line; 1 killed". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 6 November 2014. Retrieved 5 November 2014.
  15. ^ Winer, Stuart (5 November 2014). "Hamas takes responsibility for Jerusalem van attack". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 5 November 2014.
  16. ^ a b Toameh, Khaled Abu (5 November 2014). "Hamas claims Jerusalem terror attack, calls on Palestinians 'to defend al-Aksa'". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 2023-04-20.
  17. ^ Eldar, Shlomi (November 6, 2014). "The third intifada is here". Al-Monitor. Retrieved 2023-04-20.
  18. ^ Wilner, Michael (5 November 2014). "Kerry says Jerusalem attack an atrocity 'making matters worse'". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 2023-04-20.

31°47′36″N 35°13′35″E / 31.7933°N 35.2263°E / 31.7933; 35.2263

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