Police arrest suspect in stabbing of Jewish youth in J'lem

20-year-old Arab student from village of Beit Iksa arrested, confesses to stabbing attack in Ramot neighborhood for "political reasons."

By JPOST.COM STAFF
police arrest handcuffs suspect cops criminal 311 (R) (photo credit: Benoit Tessier / Reuters)
police arrest handcuffs suspect cops criminal 311 (R)
(photo credit: Benoit Tessier / Reuters)
Police announced Sunday it arrested a suspect in last month’s stabbing attack, in which a Jewish youth was seriously wounded in Jerusalem’s Ramot neighborhood.
The suspect, 20-year-old Zaid Abd al-Rahman from the village of Beit Iksa, near Ramot, was arrested several days ago in a joint police, IDF and Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) operation. A media ban on the arrest was lifted on Sunday.
RELATED:Danon condemns J'lem stabbing as 'loathsome act of terror'
According to police, the suspect confessed to the crime and reenacted the stabbing for police Sunday morning.
The suspect told police his decision to stab the Jewish youth was politically motivated.
Rahman is expected to have his remand extended at a military court in Jerusalem in the coming days.
The victim was sitting on the street with a friend when the attacker walked up, stabbed him and immediately fled, Jerusalem deputy police spokeswoman Shlomit Bajshi said.
Police, soldiers and Shin Bet personnel combed the area around Ramot in search for the suspect, making an arrest nearly three weeks after the incident.
The neighborhood is located in northwestern Jerusalem, over the pre-1967 Green Line.
The victim was evacuated to Hadassah University Medical Center in Ein Kerem in serious condition. His condition later improved to satisfactory.
Politicians were quick to condemn the attack.
“This hateful attack is an example of the Palestinian culture of terror. We must find the terrorist and destroy his home,” MK Danny Danon (Likud) said. “After our generosity, the time has come for strong action.
“We are witnessing a renewed wave of terrorism, as a result of our encouraging terrorists by freeing hundreds of murderers from prison,” MK Arye Eldad (National Union) said. “Only rehabilitating our deterrence against Hamas by killing its leadership in Gaza, including [Ahmed] Ja’bari, who held Gilad Schalit – only action and not just reaction to a major terrorist attack – will be able to keep back the expected wave of terrorism and save the lives of Jewish people.”
Melanie Lidman and Lahav Harkov contributed to this report.