Nightclub near Hebrew University’s Mt. Scopus campus firebombed

1 person lightly injured, 3 Israeli-Arabs arrested; Police: More arrests expected.

By DANIEL K. EISENBUD
Police cars at night 370 (photo credit: Courtesy Israel Police)
Police cars at night 370
(photo credit: Courtesy Israel Police)
A popular nightclub frequented by Hebrew University students in Jerusalem’s French Hill neighborhood was targeted by three Molotov cocktails shortly before midnight Saturday, resulting in one minor injury and three arrests.
According to police, the petrol bombs were hurled at the club, located near the university’s Mt.
Scopus campus, by a group of Israeli- Arab residents in their 20s, living in the nearby Arab village of Issawiya.
Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said one person was lightly injured from smoke inhalation, requiring treatment at a local hospital.
“It is a pretty serious incident and more arrests are expected,” he said.
Following an extensive search of the area by police and Border Police units, Rosenfeld said the three suspects were apprehended.
The bombing, which Rosenfeld said is being investigated as a possible terrorist attack, also resulted in minor damage to the nightclub.
“Fortunately, most of the petrol bombs landed in a open courtyard, so the damage was not as bad as it could have been,” he said.
Hebrew University’s Mt. Scopus campus, which is adjacent to an IDF base, is no stranger to such attacks.
In November, 10 Arab youths from Issawiya, between the ages of 15-17, were arrested for hurling dozens of petrol bombs at the base over a two month period.
According to a police, the group worked in tandem in two teams to identify potential targets and then hurled Molotov cocktails at IDF vehicles, police patrols and civilians.
Although police said no military personnel, officers or civilians were injured, several fires resulted from the attacks.
The arrests were made after a protracted investigation, including forensics testing, by members of Border Police and undercover units.