Two Jews Nearly Lynched in Old City, Rights Group Says

Two residents of the Old City of Yerushalayim were assaulted by Arabs and nearly lynched, the Honenu legal rights organization said in a statement Tuesday. The attack occurred outside their home in the area of the Lion’s Gate in the Old City.

According to the group, one of the residents was attacked by a group of Arabs when he stepped out of his home to empty the trash. A second Jewish resident, who lives nearby, rushed to his neighbor’s assistance and was also set upon by the mob. Both men sustained several injuries. Another resident called for assistance, and Magen David Adom workers soon arrived, provided first aid and took the injured to the hospital. Police arrested several of the rioters, Honenu said.

The housing complex where the attack occurred has several Jewish residents, Honenu said, and residents were under constant attack by Arabs in the area. Arabs have attempted to set fire to the homes several times, and there have been previous beatings as well. Honenu said that in the past, police have tried to downplay the incidents. The organization was trying to prevent this from happening again.

“The Jews under attack were saved from death b’derech nes, when a neighbor was able to reach authorities just in time to save them from being lynched,” Honenu said. “We expect the police to bring these terrorists to justice and arrest all those involved. Unfortunately, what we hear from police does not indicate that this will happen. We call on all authorities to avoid trying to ‘smooth over’ this incident, as they have in the past.”