Israel News for 10-5-18
Terror Attack
A 23-year-old Palestinian terrorist shot and killed two Israelis and wounded another in the Barkan industrial zone in the northern West Bank, near Ariel on Sunday morning. The Israelis murdered were Kim Levengrond Yehezkel, 28, from Rosh HaAyin and Ziv Hagbi, 35, from Rishon LeZion. Ziv worked as an accountant and Kim was a secretary in the Alon Group recycling factory in the industrial area. Kim was the mother of a 16 month old baby. She was found with her hands handcuffed. Investigators are unsure if the terrorists cuffed her before shooting her or after the shooting in order to prevent her from calling for help. Ziv was the father of 3 children.
The 54 year old Israeli woman wounded in the attack was evacuated to the hospital in serious condition, with a gunshot to her stomach. Thankfully, the bullet did not hit any vital organs and exited her body. She is recovering and plans to be released today or tomorrow.
The terrorist, from the village of Shweika near Tulkarem, fled the scene. He had worked at the Alon Group for 7 months and had a permit to enter the industrial zone. IDF forces are searching for the terrorist, who is assumed to still be armed.
The Israel Television News Company reported that the terrorist gave a suicide note to a friend who also works at the factory, but the worker did not report the terrorist’s note to anyone and that he has been arrested and is facing interrogation.
Around 5,000 Palestinians are employed in Israeli-owned businesses in the Barkan industrial zone, which is considered to be a model of coexistence between Arabs and Jews.
President Reuven Rivlin addressed the terror attack saying, “I’m appalled and distressed by the horrible terror attack carried out in the Barkan industrial area. My heart goes out to the victim’s families, and I pray for the recovery of the woman who survived. This was an attack against the idea of Israelis and Palestinian coexisting, and living peacefully side by side.” He added, “I call upon the Palestinian leadership to condemn this despicable terror attack and to join the efforts of finding the assailant and his accomplices. We will not rest until the law is exhausted with the perpetrators.”
Arabs in Gaza handed out candy to celebrate the terror attack.
Education Minister Naftali Bennett stated: “While Israel endures terrible sadness, Hamas is handing out candies and Abbas is looking after salaries. We must stop this celebration. The State of Israel is obliged to ensure the security of its citizens. We must restore the deterrence.”
Hundreds attended the funeral of Kim Levengrond Yehezkel yesterday at the Rosh HaAyin cemetery. Hagbi will be laid to rest on Monday at 2pm.
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Fraud Trial
Sara Netanyahu, wife of the PM, went on trial for fraud yesterday. According to the indictment, Sara Netanyahu, along with a government employee, fraudulently obtained from the state more than $100,000 for hundreds of meals supplied by restaurants, bypassing regulations that prohibit the practice if a cook is employed at home. She was charged in June with fraud and breach of trust and of aggravated fraudulent receipt of goods. If convicted, Sara Netanyahu could face up to five years in prison. She denies all the charges.
Netanyahu’s lawyers contend the indictment does not hold up because the regulations for ordering meals were legally invalid and a household employee had requisitioned the food despite Netanyahu’s protestations. The PM has called the allegations against his wife absurd and unfounded.
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Moon Trip
NASA and Israel’s Space Agency have signed a new agreement to launch an Israeli spacecraft to the moon for the first time in the coming months.
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