For The Ninth Time, Arabs Torch Car Of Tal Yeshovayev, Resident Of Shimon Hatzadik Neighborhood

JERUSALEM (VINnews) — The Shimon Hatzadik neighborhood in northern Jerusalem is situated just 200 meters from Ohr Samayach (whose new campus will be inside the neighborhood and not opposite it) and just a minute’s walk from Road 1 which traverses the city from north to south. However residents of the neighborhood suffer endemic vandalism, violence and harassment from their Arab neighbors in Sheikh Jarrah, with the police apparently helpless in the face of the harassment.

Tal Yeshovayev, a resident of the neighborhood, seems to have borne the brunt of Arab terror in the region. During the last two years, his car has been torched no less than nine times, the last time yesterday. Arabs also threw stones Monday at a resident of the neighborhood and sprayed Jews nearby with tear gas.

Police have in the past arrested those suspected of torching Yeshovayev’s car. Yeshovayev related in the past that he suffers almost daily verbal abuse from Arab residents who curse him when he leaves his house even for a short time. The last time his car was torched was just three weeks ago.

Jewish Force leader Itamar Ben-Gvir said that “police have lost control in Jerusalem. The fact that there was no ambush in place near a car which had been torched eight times proves the police’s abandonment and contempt for its key role: protecting the lives and property of Jews in Shimon Hatzadik.

Ben-Gvir added: “It is unthinkable that Israeli police is not capable of securing such a small area and such a sensitive spot where vandals repeatedly return to the site of the crime and repeat it without being brought to justice.”

In an interview with Kikar Hashabat, Yeshovayev said that “the man I think torched my car threatened me a few hours before the car was burned. He told me that “we burned your cars, this car also won’t be here for long.” I told this to police. After the torching he stood here and jeered, saying: ‘look at that car.” I’m trying to imagine what would happen if it were an Arab car. Within minutes the Shin Bet would be here searching around.”

Tal says that even after Protective Edge ended the harassment continued daily. “Yesterday they threw stones at a car of Jews who came to daven at Shimon Hatzadik. Every day there is another incident, there are people instigating terror, antisemites who hate us because we are Jews.”

Police claim that “every report or complaint about attempts to harm life or property is checked and thoroughly investigated in order to bring those involved to justice. Immediately after the report of the torched car police were summoned to the scene and an investigation was initiated. We will continue to act to bring every violent criminal to justice as well as those who disturb public order and harm property.