Walking through the Old City, I often noticed the many security cameras mounted high on the walls of the alleyways. I wondered if anyone was watching, and if so, how they kept from falling asleep. This weekend that footage came in handy, when an Israeli Arab grabbed the pistol of a security guard and shot him. That footage is now online, but before you watch it, a few words. What you’re seeing is footage from multiple cameras, stitched together so you can see the full progression of the event. Initially you see the attacker following the guards. Later you see the gun grab, and then a few shots of the shootings. If you’ve spent much time in the Christian Quarter, you may recognize the streets.
You can watch the video here, as released by the Jerusalem police. If you’re a parent or you are going to Israel in the future, you should watch this instead.
A few words about the attacker. He was an Israeli Arab, which means that he is an Israeli citizen (and was all of his 29 years). Some will suggest this even means that all Israeli Arabs are evil and Jew-killers. There are many reasons why this is false, including the reality that those who initially helped the wounded Jewish soldier were Arabs.
There’s another reality that must be noted, however. The funeral of the attacker was held in Kefar Manda (near the real Cana, and a city I’ve been in several times). Here is what the JPost said about the funeral.
Khatib, who is survived by his pregnant wife and young daughter, was buried on Sunday in Kafr Manda in a funeral attended by thousands, carrying green Islamic Movement flags.
The funeral began with a speech by Sheikh Raed Salah, the leader of the Islamic Movement’s northern branch. “Those who murdered Ahmed Khatib are criminals, terrorists and cowards” he said. He also promised that those responsible will be cursed by Ahmed’s blood.
Ahmed’s father, Mahmoud, said that the security tapes were a fabrication, claiming that police had told him that evidence was still inconclusive. He blamed the security guards for his son’s death, but said that ultimate responsibility lay with the Israeli government.
In my opinion, the response of the thousands of Israeli Arab citizens is much more troubling than the attempted murders by one of its members. These Arabs are not “oppressed West Bank Palestinians” who “had their land stolen.” They have lived in Israel for 60 years and have received benefits as citizens. This strongly suggests to me that the best possible peace deal with the Palestinians will not end Israel’s struggle with Arabs.
Israel has two problems, as I see it. The first are those in and around her who desire her destruction. The second is an absolute rejection of the only One who can save the nation. According to Scripture, the first will be resolved when the second one is. Unfortunately, Israel is trying to solve the first without realizing that there is the second.
Amen and amen about your diagnosis of Israel’s problem.
So sad about the guard too.
On a lighter note…hilarious ‘alerternative’ video on Israel. i didn’t watch it all, but the music and the museum shots were enough to make me want more when I have time.
This was certainly an odd occurrence. It seems that his main goal was to steal the pistol and get away, not shoot it out with the guards. That said, I suspect he wasn ‘t stealing the pistol to go hunting quail.
I did recognize most of the locations in the video. That alone is a little disturbing.
I think you ‘re analysis is just a bit off. I have know a few Arab-Israelis (though oddly enough, none were actually Arab in background. Those who were in Turkish/British Palestine and were not-Jews, non-Europeans all tend to be lumped together as Arabs).
Certainly, the do have rights, but they all seem to believe that they are treated as second class citizens. Many things are much easier for Jews than these people. In fact, one of my friends once noted “Someone who is Jewish and steps off the plane in Israel has more rights the moment he steps on the ground than I do, even though my family has lived here for generations.”
I don ‘t say this to in any way justify what this man did (nor, what he may have been planning to do with the gun). But, there is what I consider reasonable frustration among many Arab-Israelis over how they continue to be treated. I might add, just as there is frustration over how minorities are treated in America.
Al – I’m not contesting your fourth paragraph. I have seen it in action many times, and I’ve mentioned it on this blog before. Some serious thinking needs to be done on both sides.