In the midst of the war in Gaza, things are heating up in Jerusalem. As the rockets continue to fly into Israel (about 3,300 rockets since July 8th) there have been several incidents in the area in the past few weeks, and a few serious attacks today.
Last week at a checkpoint, a terrorist tried to get into Israel proper with bomb explosives. A very quick border police officer foiled the attack by jumping into the moving car and stopping it. Here's an actual video of the brave police officer.
Friday evening, cars in the German colony neighborhood of Jerusalem were set on fire for flying Israeli flags.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4553524,00.html
The neighborhood where we used to live, and where many of our staff currently live, has seen an uptick of terrorist acts in the past few weeks, including molotov cocktails and rock throwing.
http://www.timesofisrael.com/arabs-and-jews-at-odds-in-east-talpiot/
This morning, there were once again, riots on the Temple Mount - which is actually getting to be quite normal in the past month. However, police are injured, and it prevents those who want to visit the site.
On our way to work this morning, the police were looking for someone, as they were stopping traffic, and boarded our bus - not finding who they were looking for.
Most disturbing, are the two most recents attacks today in Jerusalem. First, earlier this afternoon, a terrorist ran a heavy duty back end loader into a bus, injuring the driver, running over (and killing) a pedestrian, and injuring about 6 others. Residents are familiar with this kind of attack from July 2008 when a front end loader went down Jaffa Road killing 3 and injuring 50 people.
http://mfa.gov.il/MFA/ForeignPolicy/Terrorism/Palestinian/Pages/Terrorist-attack-on-Jaffa-Road-Jerusalem-2-Jul-2008.aspx
Last week Hamas Spokesman Fauzi Barhum called for exactly such attacks: "Do you not have cars, motorcycles, knives, clubs, diggers and trucks? If you do and do not hit Jews or settlers, and do not kill dozen of Zionists - then you are not Palestinian." The family says police shot him dead for a "bumping into the bus." The video shows otherwise, this link provides a video of the attack, the 3rd video in the article.
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/183705#.U9-t1FbAw7c
Then, later this afternoon, a 20 year old soldier was shot in the stomach at close range in a drive by terror attack on Mount Scopus, Jerusalem. The suspects fled into a nearby arab village.
http://www.timesofisrael.com/gunman-opens-fire-at-pedestrian-in-jerusalem/
After these two terrorist acts today, Jerusalem Mayor Barkat says: Israelis and especially Jerusalem residents must remain vigilant during this tense time “and no less important, continue with their daily lives.” Disrupting Israeli life “is exactly what the terrorists are trying to do to us. We mustn’t give them that reward.” And so we do. Please continue to pray for Israel and Jerusalem.
Psalm 2
Why do the nations rage,
And the people plot a vain thing?
The kings of the earth set themselves,
And the rulers take counsel together,
Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying,
“Let us break Their bonds in pieces
And cast away Their cords from us.”
He who sits in the heavens shall laugh;
The Lord shall hold them in derision.
Then He shall speak to them in His wrath,
And distress them in His deep displeasure:
“Yet I have set My King
On My holy hill of Zion.”
“I will declare the decree:
The Lord has said to Me,
‘You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You.
Ask of Me, and I will give You
The nations for Your inheritance,
And the ends of the earth for Your possession.
You shall break them with a rod of iron;
You shall dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel.’”
Now therefore, be wise, O kings;
Be instructed, you judges of the earth.
Serve the Lord with fear,
And rejoice with trembling.
Kiss the Son, lest He be angry,
And you perish in the way,
When His wrath is kindled but a little.
Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.
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