(Monday, November 7th, 2011)
Once again kevarim on Har HaZeisim have been targeted by vandals who caused significant damage. The latest attack seems to have taken place on motzei Shabbos, November 5th-6th.
At least five tombstones were smashed in this attack. Despite shouts and outcries from the tzibur and chareidi elected officials, it appears authorities are unwilling or incapable of protecting the ancient cemetery, permitting Arab vandals to repeatedly target the beis hachaim. Last months, dozens of tombstones were damaged by vandals.
Officials announced cameras have been installed and patrols stepped-up, but attacks continue, regularly. In this last attack, authorities have looked at the video cameras in the hope of learning the identities of the attackers.
This latest attack occurred in the Yemenite section of the beis hachaim. The daily HaMevaser quotes Rav Malachi Avraham, of the Yemenite Chevra Kadisha who decried the attack and the repeated incidents that simply leave the chevra kadisha without an idea what to do since every time they repair the damage, Arabs destroy the area again.
Interestingly, in this latest attack and the previous attack, last month’s, there were no condemnatory statements from the president, prime minister of any elected official, as was the case when a Muslim cemetery was desecrated in northern Israel, presumably connected to the right-wing ‘Price Tag’ operation.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
