2015 Tel Aviv synagogue stabbing
| 2015 synagogue stabbing | |
|---|---|
| Location |
 Derekh Ben-Zvi 84, Kiryat Shalom, Tel Aviv, Israel |
| Date | November 19, 2015 |
| Target | civilians |
Attack type | Stabbing |
| Weapons | knife |
| Deaths | 2 |
Non-fatal injuries | 1 |
| Perpetrator | Raid Halil bin Mahmoud (lone wolf) |
On November 19, 2015, an assailant approached the entrance of a Tel Aviv synagogue at prayer time, and stabbed and killed two worshipers. The attacker was arrested.[1]
Attack
The attacker approached the entrance to the informal prayer room located in a South Tel Aviv building during afternoon prayers.[2] Worshippers inside the synagogue became aware of the attack when a man covered in blood staggered into the room and someone shouted, "There's a terrorist." Some worshipers assisted the wounded man while the other men who had been praying rushed to close the door,leaning against it to prevent the attacker from entering. When the terrorist ceased attempting to shove the door open, they rushed out with makeshift weapons to try to subdue him.[3]
Context
This attack shocked the nation coming, as it did, after a period of calm, free of terror attacks.[4] Together with the deadly shooting at Gush Etzion Junction that occurred only a few hours afterwards, it was, "the bloodiest day in Israel since this latest round of Palestinian violence began back in September."[5]
This was the first terror attack to be carried out by a terrorist who had successfully passed through the security screening process and obtained a legal permit to work inside the Green Line.[4]
Impact
The Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories responded by suspending 1,200 entry permits to Israel, for Palestinians from the Hebron area.[6][7][8]
Victims
- Aharon Yesiab (Yesayev), (32), dead at the scene
- Reuven Aviram (51), who died within hours, in hospital.[9][10][11][12]
Assailant
The attacker, Raid Halil bin Mahmoud (36), father of five, was arrested and identified as an Arab from the town of Dura.[7] He had recently been granted a permit to work in a Tel Aviv restaurant, but told authorities that his purpose in getting the permit had been to kill Jews.[2][3][10] The attacker had been granted the work permit enabling him to enter Israel only 4 days before he stabbed two men to death at the synagogue.[7] The assailant was indicted for murder on 13 December 2015.[12]
Responses
- Hamas stated, "“We welcome the heroic operation in Tel Aviv that killed two people... We call on the Palestinians to continue such activities.”[3]
- The attacker's mother stated: "“My son is a source of pride for Hebron and Palestine.”[13]
See also
- 2015 Gush Etzion Junction shooting
- List of violent incidents in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, July–December 2015
References
- ↑ Edward Mickolus (8 August 2016). Terrorism, 2013-2015: A Worldwide Chronology. McFarland. pp. 490–. ISBN 978-1-4766-2589-8.
- 1 2 Moore, Jack (19 November 2015). "Two Israelis Killed in Tel Aviv Stabbing Attack Outside Synagogue". Newsweek. Retrieved 19 November 2015.
- 1 2 3 Steinbuch, Yaron (19 November 2015). "American teen among 5 killed in Palestinian terror attacks". New York Post. Retrieved 19 November 2015.
- 1 2 Davidovich, Joshua (20 November 2015). "The storm after the calm". Times of Israel. Retrieved 20 November 2015.
- ↑ "American terror victim perished on 'bloodiest day since violence began'". Jerusalem Post. 20 November 2015. Retrieved 20 November 2015.
- ↑ Cohen, Gili (20 November 2015). "Israel Suspends 1,200 Palestinian Entry Permits in Wake of Deadly Tel Aviv Terror Attack". Haaretz. Retrieved 20 November 2015.
- 1 2 3 Winer, Stuart (20 November 2015). "Israel freezes hundreds of Palestinian entry permits". Times of Israel. Retrieved 20 November 2015.
- ↑ Weiss, Mark (20 November 2015). "Israel suspends entry permits for Palestinian labourers". The Irish Times. Retrieved 21 November 2015.
- ↑ "US yeshiva student among 5 dead in Palestinian terror attacks". JTA. 19 November 2015. Retrieved 19 November 2015.
- 1 2 "At least 5 dead in West Bank and Tel Aviv terrorist attacks". Fox News. 19 November 2015. Retrieved 19 November 2015.
- ↑ Levinson, Chaim (19 November 2015). "5 Killed, Several Wounded in Tel Aviv, West Bank Terror Attacks". Haaretz. Retrieved 19 November 2015.
- 1 2 "Suspect in Tel Aviv terror attack indicted for murder". Times of Israel. 13 December 2015. Retrieved 14 December 2015.
- ↑ Winer, Stuart (19 November 2015). "Tel Aviv terrorist's mother 'proud' of her son's actions". Times of Israel. Retrieved 21 November 2015.
