Two more Palestinians arrested in connection to Jerusalem stoning attack

Police arrested two more Palestinian youths, from the east Jerusalem village of Zur Baher, who are suspected in the rock-throwing attack that left a two-year-old Jewish infant wounded in the neighborhood of Armon Hanatziv last week, Israel Radio reported on Wednesday.

The arrests bring the total number of Palestinians allegedly involved in the attack, who are currently in police custody, to seven, according to Israel Radio.

According to police, the other five suspects who were arrested on Monday admitted to throwing stones at the vehicle carrying the toddler and reenacted the incident.

The suspects told investigators that they were motivated by hatred of Jews, according to Israeli media reports.

The girl, Abigail Ben-Zion, remains hospitalized in stable condition at Hadassah University Medical Center in Jerusalem’s Ein Kerem.

She was moderately wounded Thursday night, allegedly by Palestinian teenagers, when a large rock hit the vehicle she was traveling in with her parents and two brothers in the Armon Hanatziv neighborhood.

It shattered the rear window adjacent to her seat, striking the right side of her head.

Following the attack Magen David Adom paramedics treated the girl, rendered semiconscious, at the scene and transported her to the hospital in moderate condition.

Earlier this week, Armon Hanatziv residents described an ongoing climate of fear within their community, caused by the violence and harassment perpetrated by Arab youths from the surrounding villages.

Although designated an “up-and-coming neighborhood for young people” by Mayor Nir Barkat, residents said the southern Jerusalem community is riddled with trouble-making Arab teens living in the surrounding Palestinian neighborhoods, including Zur Baher.

Pointing to what they deem a nominal police presence, several young parents expressed exacerbated anger over the situation.

Gil Schecter, who has lived there since the mid-70’s, said although residents of the community have worked to engender peaceful coexistence with their Arab neighbors, a disproportionate number of youths continue to wreak havoc on women and children there.

“More and more young guys have moved into these neighborhoods over the years, and they come here like they own the place,” said Schecter.

“Their parents are peaceful and busy working all day, but they do nothing to stop these kids.”

Daniel K. Eisenbud contributed to this report.