Firebomb thrown at Jerusalem courthouse

The firebomb hit the steps leading to the guard post. No one was wounded, although the guard post was slightly damaged by the fire.

By DANIEL K. EISENBUD
A Palestinian protester throws a Molotov cocktail towards Israeli security forces during clashes in the village of Beit Omar (photo credit: AFP PHOTO)
A Palestinian protester throws a Molotov cocktail towards Israeli security forces during clashes in the village of Beit Omar
(photo credit: AFP PHOTO)
A firebomb thrown by a Palestinian terrorist Monday morning exploded near a guard post in front of the Jerusalem District Court building on Salah a-Din Street.
The firebomb hit the steps leading to the guard post. No one was wounded, although the guard post was slightly damaged by the fire.
Firefighters called to the scene extinguished the small blaze moments later, police said. Police are reviewing CCTV surveillance footage taken at the scene and have opened an investigation to determine whether the attack was nationalistically motivated.
Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked denounced the firebombing as a terrorist attack.
“Terrorism seeks to harm not only the innocent, but also the symbols of democracy and equality in our country,” she said, Walla news reported.
“Terrorists think that harming symbols of government and sovereignty in Jerusalem will deter us. The court in Jerusalem is a symbol of justice, equality and coexistence in Jerusalem, and will stay as such, despite the wishes of those seeking to sow destruction and hatred.”
Jerusalem Councilman Arieh King warned firebomb throwers in a Facebook posting that the attack would result in harsher sentences by Jerusalem judges.
“From this morning on, you can expect to see a change in the policy of punishment from judges at the Jerusalem District Court,” he wrote.
“With their spacious offices and official cars in danger of being burned, I expect that several judges will stiffen the punishment against terrorists when they appear before the honorable court.”
Also on Monday, a 22-yearold Arab man from east Jerusalem was arrested after attacking a tour guide with a glass bottle near the Old City’s Jaffa Gate, police said.
The unidentified guide, who was lightly wounded, was treated at the scene by Magen David Adom paramedics before being transferred to Hadassah-University Medical Center in Ein Kerem.
The suspect was arrested after attempting to flee and remains in police custody.
Earlier in the day, an illegally constructed Arab home in the east Jerusalem Jebl Mukaber neighborhood was razed, the Wadi Hilweh Information Center in Silwan reported.
Resident Sami Edrees, who lived in the small home with his wife and five children, told the center that soldiers accompanying the bulldozers allowed the family a brief period to remove important items and documents before the structure was demolished.
According to the Palestinian information center, Edrees began construction on the home three months ago, and moved into the property with his family 15 days ago.
“Israel informed the parties that the property was built without a construction permit, and issued two demolition orders over the last two months,” the center reported.