Jerusalem, Israeli army shoots dead a 20 year-old Palestinian

The young attacker Ali Shiouki, openly challenged soldiers and police officers on patrol. To ward off attacks to coincide with Yom Kippur, Israel has deployed 3 thousand men to defend the city. Palestinians fear a permanent division and access to private prayer only to Jewish worshipers.

 

Jerusalem (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The Israeli army soldiers opened fire on a young Palestinian, killing him. According to reports the incident occurred yesterday evening in Silwan, a neighborhood east of Jerusalem occupied and annexed (by Israel). This latest episode of violence comes just three days after the attack of the 39 year-old Palestinian Musbah Abu Sbaih on civilian and military targets, which killed three people including the bomber.

The 20 year old attacker Shiouki Ali, was openly challenging the deployment of police and army soldiers stationed by the Israeli government in recent days in Jerusalem and the West Bank. The massive deployment of forces  is an attempt to ward off attacks to coincide with Yom Kippur, the Jewish holiday of forgiveness, which began yesterday and ends today.

Jerusalem police are on high alert and the Palestinian territories are sealed off, to prevent the passage of personnel and equipment from the Territories and from Gaza. The goal is to prevent possible attacks against the tens of thousands of faithful and tourists who arrive for the most solemn celebration of the Jewish calendar to visit the Old City and the Western Wall. Security was further tightened after the attack on October 9. According to Israeli sources there are at least 3 thousand agents spread throughout the city, to protect the safety of the faithful and pilgrims.

Tensions are high because  Palestinians fear that Israel, which controls all access to the Temple Mount, will eventually divide the territory and allow entry only to Jewish worshipers to pray.

Starting in October 2015, after a series of provocations by ultra-Orthodox Jews who prayed on Temple Mount, unrest spread in Israel and the Palestinian territories, in what became known as the ‘knife intifada’.

So far, 237 Palestinians, 35 Israelis, two Americans, a Sudanese and an Eritrean have died in the violence. Most of the Palestinians died tried to stab, fire at or drive cars against pedestrians and soldiers. Some were killed during demonstrations or clashes with the military.

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