1 dead, 5 hurt in east Jerusalem family feud

Red Crescent ambulances seen rushing through the neighborhood while worried neighbors peek their heads out from their homes.

By ABE SELIG, JPOST.COM STAFF

JANUARY 25, 2010 13:26

One man was killed and five were wounded - fourseriously and one moderately - after a feud between rival clans brokeout in the Wadi Kadum area of east Jerusalem on Sunday morning.

Byearly afternoon, hundreds of Israel Police, Border Police and specialpolice forces had been deployed in the area, which is located near thesprawling east Jerusalem neighborhood of Ras al-Amud, next to thesecurity barrier, in an effort to quell the violence, which includedsporadic gunfire.

Red Crescent ambulances were seen rushing through theneighborhood while worried neighbors peeked their heads out from theirhomes and helicopters hovered above, as the clashes between the twofamilies continued throughout the afternoon.

It was not clear what started the feud, but youths in the neighborhood told The Jerusalem Post thatone family accused the other of stealing its car. Others said that oneof the members of the clan had driven his car erratically near membersof the other clan, sparking a verbal spat, which later became violent.

The fighting parties, the Salaimeh and Sawahrehclans, hurled rocks and fired gunshots at each other, prompting themassive response of security forces. However, one man, who was shotduring the apparent exchanges of fire, later died of his wounds. Hisbody was taken to the Abu Kabir Institute of Forensic Medicine for anautopsy.

Magen David Adom teams evacuated three people inserious condition to the Hadassah University Medical Center in EinKerem, one person in serious condition to the Hadassah UniversityHospital at Mount Scopus and another in moderate condition to Sha'areZedek Hospital.

Meanwhile,a store in the neighborhood that is owned by one of the families wasset on fire. Police and firefighters extinguished the blaze, and policemanaged to prevent another arson attempt against a different store.

An investigation was launched into the arson attacks.