Joel Rosenberg: Tensions Mount in Israel After Two Terrorist Attacks!

Tensions are flaring again in Israel and the disputed territories in the wake of two shocking sets of murders by Radical Islamists terrorists:

• Last night, a Jewish grandfather and his son and daughter — having Shabbat dinner and celebrating the birth of a new grandson — were savagely stabbed to death by a Palestinian terrorist who broke into their home.
• One week ago, three Palestinian terrorists smuggled firearms onto the Temple Mount and launched a surprise attack against three Israeli Druze police officers, killing two of them before they were stopped.

Please pray for comfort the families and friends of those who were murdered. Pray for healing and comfort for those who were wounded in the attacks.

Please pray, too, for wisdom for Israeli and Palestinian leaders to know best how to calm the situation before it explodes into widespread violence, as well as for the U.S. administration, Jordanian leaders and other regional leaders who have influence.

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas could start by denouncing these terrorist acts, and working harder to arrest terrorists and prevent future attacks.

At the same time, there needs to be a quick consensus on how best to prevent violence on the Temple Mount. Israel needs to work closely with the Jordanians and Palestinians on this. After the attack on the Temple Mount last week, the Israelis installed metal detectors and are now requiring every Muslim who wants to go up on the Mount to go through those detectors. This is already required of all Jews and Christians who want to visit the holy site. Yet Palestinian leaders are denouncing the move and demanding the Israelis remove the metal detectors. Other Arab and Islamic leaders are doing the same.

Why? Metal detectors are used to protect visitors to Mecca, the Vatican and in sensitive religious and political sites all over the world. If there is a better way, fine, make the case. But to criticize Israeli leaders for trying their best to protect a site sacred to Jews, Muslims and Christians in the wake of a terrorist attack is nonsensical and hardly creates and atmosphere conducive to peace and security.

Developing….

• Read this heart-breaking report from Ynet News on last night’s attack

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