Palestinian tries to stab policeman

Officer unhurt in attack on Temple Mount, police apprehend Palestinian woman.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
temple mount 224.88 (photo credit: Areil Jerozolimski [file])
temple mount 224.88
(photo credit: Areil Jerozolimski [file])
A 27-year-old Palestinian woman attempted to stab a police officer who was on duty in the plaza surrounding the Temple Mount in Jerusalem shortly after noon on Thursday. The officer was unhurt and other policeman on the scene apprehended the attacker, Israel Radio reported. The woman, a Bethlehem resident, reportedly set upon the policeman with a 30cm blade while shouting "Allahu Akbar". In the initial investigation the woman told police that she had carried out the attack in revenge for the death of her husband, who was killed by the IDF during Palestinian riots near the Nativity Church in Bethlehem. In recent months there was a significant rise in terror attacks with knives. In the last nine month's there were 45 arrests of Palestinian terrorists who were planning such attacks. Twelve were caught in possession of knives while 25 were apprehended while on the way to carry out stabbings. Most of the attackers were destined for IDF checkpoints. During this period three stabbings were carried out including an incident at Kalandiya checkpoint in which a soldier was killed. On February 10, two 15-year-old Palestinians were caught near an IDF checkpoint south of Jerusalem; in the ensuing investigation, they admitted that they intended to stab one of the soldiers at the blockade. One of the teens tried to throw a knife at the security forces during a pursuit that was conducted after them.