Israel News for June 9, 2016
Terror in TA
Two Arab terrorists opened fire in a crowded Max Brenner restaurant in Tel Aviv’s popular Sarona Market, which is adjacent to the headquarters of the IDF and Ministry of Defense, killing four people and wounding 16. Police managed to shoot both terrorists and take them into custody. One of the terrorists died of his wounds.
The terrorists were wearing black suits, white shirts and ties, and ordered food at a table before removing their weapons from bags and opening fire. According to the branch manager of the restaurant, “I was sitting in the restaurant and they were acting like regular customers. They had bags and they ordered something to eat. Suddenly they pulled guns out and started firing. They didn’t shout anything. The two of them simply took the guns out and opened fire.”
Witnesses said that the terrorists fired inside and outside of the restaurant. Pandemonium ensued as people tried to escape or hide. The area was locked down as police searched for the terrorists and paramedics treated the wounded.
The four people killed were: Idan Ben-Ari, 42, from Ramat Gan; Ilana Naveh, 40, from Tel Aviv; Dr. Michael Feige, 58 from Ramat Gan; and Mila Mishayev, 33, from Rishon Lezion.
PM Netanyahu had just landed at Ben Gurion airport from his Russian visit and immediately headed to the Defense Ministry for an emergency security cabinet meeting.
The terror attack was clearly well planned and unlike the lone wolf attacks that have been rampant during the recent wave of terror.
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The Victims
Ido Ben Ari, 42, from Ramat Gan was the father of two. He was dining at Benedict restaurant at Sarona Market with his wife and two children when he was shot twice. His wife was wounded in the shooting. Ben Ari had served in Sayeret Matkal, the most elite commando unit in the IDF and worked in a senior management position at Coca Cola. Ben Ari’s organs were donated by his family according to his wishes. His parents said, “now his beautiful eyes will continue with someone else.”
Mila Mishayev, 33, from Rishon Lezion and originally from Ashkelon leaves behind her parents and siblings. Gila was waiting for her boyfriend in the restaurant when the shooting started. She attempted to flee but was shot. She then managed to call her boyfriend and tell him that she had been shot. They were planning to marry in a few months.
Ilana Naveh, 40, from Tel Aviv leaves behind her four children, husband and parents. Her husband is a police officer and she worked part-time in a store. She didn’t leave the house in order to protect her four girls. When she finally did, she was murdered.
Dr. Michael Feige, 58 from Ramat Gan was married and the father of three daughters. He was a sociologist and anthropologist, and the head of a department at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, specializing in Israeli society, collective memory and political myth. He was known for his honesty and modesty.
May their memories serve as a blessing for us all.
To read more and see photos of the victims, click here.
The Terrorists
Police revealed today that the two terrorists involved in last night’s attack in Tel Aviv, Khalid and Muhammad Musa Mehamara, were cousins and part of the prominent Mehamara clan in Yatta, south of Hebron.
An uncle of the cousins, Taleb Mehamara, was a member of a terror cell that in 2002 targeted Israelis in southern Judea, killing four in a shooting attack. He was captured and is currently in an Israeli prison.
Israeli forces sealed off Yatta overnight, raided the home of Muhammad Musa Mehamara and detained relatives of the two terrorists.
Security officials say the pair infiltrated Israel and resided in the country illegally for months prior to the attack. Officials reported that the IDF and Shin Bet security agency are investigating the possibility that the two terrorists received aid in planning and preparing the attack, with members of the Mehamara clan prime suspects.
Israel has rescinded over 80,000 entry permits (into Israel) for Palestinians that had been granted for the month of Ramadan, which began last Sunday.
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Responses
Barely an hour after the deadly terror attack in Tel Aviv, Palestinians in the West Bank town of Tulkarem handed out cookies and sweets. In Hebron, fireworks celebrated the attack. Photos of celebrations in Yatta, the hometown of the terrorists were posted on social media.
Hamas released a message saying “these acts of bravery in Tel Aviv are the first signs of Ramadan, and the first surprise waiting in store for the Zionist enemy this Ramadan.”
A spokesperson for Palestinian Islamic Jihad said that “the attacks tonight revealed the fragility of Israeli security. These are natural reactions to the crimes of the occupation.”
Social media was flooded with Palestinian praise, photos and caricatures.
To see some of them click here.
The U.S. State Department condemned the terrorist attack “in the strongest possible terms. These cowardly attacks against innocent civilians can never be justified. We are in touch with Israeli authorities to express our support and concern.”
EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini condemned the attack saying, “Wednesday night’s terror attack in the Sarona complex in Tel Aviv exposed scores of innocent civilians and families to indiscriminate fire. Four people were killed and more seriously injured. Our thoughts are with the families of the dead and injured,” she said. Those responsible for these murders must be brought to justice. Those who praise this attack must be condemned,”
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Family Expulsions
In the wake of yesterday’s terror attack in TA, Yeah Atid party leader Yair Lapid called on the government to adopt legislation to enable authorities to expel the families of terrorists.
Lapid wrote, “In the face of evil terror there is no coalition and opposition. We will support the government, the security cabinet and especially the IDF in the fight against terror. But we must also use additional tools to win this battle. There is a law before the Knesset proposed by Israel Katz (Likud), David Biton (Likud), Yaakov Perry (Yesh Atid) and myself which will allow the Israeli government to expel the families of terrorists.The time to pass that law is now.”
Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman said, “I don’t plan on detailing the steps we’ll be taking, but I certainly have no intentions of settling for lip service.”
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