2017 Jerusalem Light Rail stabbing | |
---|---|
Part of Israeli–Palestinian conflict | |
Location | Tzahal Square, Jerusalem, Israel |
Coordinates | 31°46′44″N 35°13′29″E / 31.77889°N 35.22472°E |
Date | 14 April 2017 12:50 (UTC+03:00) |
Attack type | Stabbing |
Weapons | Kitchen knife |
Deaths | 1 |
Injured | 2 |
Victims | Train passengers |
Motive | Under investigation |
The 2017 Jerusalem Light Rail stabbing was a stabbing attack and suspected act of terrorism that occurred on Good Friday, April 14, 2017, on Jerusalem Light Rail's car. In the attack, a British student in her 20s was stabbed to death by a Palestinian. Two others, including a pregnant woman, were injured in the incident.[1] The attacker was arrested and was deemed competent to stand trial.
Background
Stabbing attacks were rare in Israel in 2017, although there was a spate of them in the fall of 2015 and early 2016.[2] The attack took place as crowds of pilgrims from around Israel and the world gathered in the center of Jerusalem to celebrate Passover and Good Friday.[2]
Attack
The attack occurred at about 1:00 pm April 14, 2017, as a knife-wielding man stabbed a 21 year old British exchange student. An off-duty police officer riding the light rail pulled an emergency brake and tackled the perpetrator, who was then arrested.[3][4][4]
According to Israel's domestic security service, Shin Bet, the attacker was known to the authorities and the attack may have been a “suicide by soldier,” a phenomenon seen in other incidents in the last 18 months, "in which a Palestinian suffering from mental health or personal issues has chosen to carry out an attack as a way out of his problems."[4]
After his arrest, pepetrator reportedly told investigators that he stabbed Bladon because he wanted the soldier standing beside her to kill him.[5]
Suspect
The accused is a Palestinian Arab from the Ras al-Amud neighborhood of East Jerusalem who was known to security services and had recently been released from a mental health facility where he was treated for attempted suicide.[6][4] In 2011, the accused was convicted of molesting his daughter.[6]
In the immediate aftermath of the attack, the accused was sent for a mental examination by a psychiatrist.[7] Psychiatric examiners judged him mentally fit to stand trial.[8]
Under Palestinian law, the Palestinian Authority will pay a sum not to exceed £2,500 per month to the accused while he is imprisoned.[9][10]
Victim
Hannah Bladon, a 20-year-old student in Israel on an exchange program from the University of Birmingham was fatally injured and died in ambulance en route to Hadassah Medical Center.[11][12][13][14][3][15][16][17][18]
Response
- Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu said: "Radical Islamic terrorism is striking world capitals. Regretfully, terrorism struck today in Israel's capital – Jerusalem."[4]
- Israeli President Reuven Rivlin said “The bitter news of the young woman’s death in a terror attack in Jerusalem fills me with deep sorrow.”[19]
- Mark Regev Israeli ambassador to the UK, said “My thoughts are with the family and friends of UK student Hannah Bladon, who was murdered in a senseless act of terror in Jerusalem today."[4][20].
- A spokesman for the Hebrew University condemned "such acts of terror that harm innocent people, and especially a student who came to Jerusalem to study and widen her academic horizons." [21]
- Right Revd Dr Michael Ipgrave, Bishop of Lichfield, expressed "deep sadness," over the killing. [22]
- A moment of silence was held in a Derby County F.C. game[23] and a Burton Albion F.C. game.[24]
See also
- List of terrorist incidents in April 2017
- List of violent incidents in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, 2017
References
- ^ Fisher, Ian (14 April 2017). "British Student Is Fatally Stabbed on Train in Jerusalem". Retrieved 14 April 2017 – via NYTimes.com.
- ^ a b Eglash, Ruth (14 April 2017). "Woman fatally stabbed in Jerusalem amid Good Friday gatherings". Washington Post. Retrieved 14 April 2017.
- ^ a b "Jerusalem stabbing: Hannah Bladon named as victim". BBC. 14 April 2017. Retrieved 14 April 2017.
- ^ a b c d e f Beaumont, Peter (14 April 2017). "Jerusalem stabbing: British student, 21, killed close to Old City". Guardian. Retrieved 14 April 2017.
- ^ "British Student Killed In Jerusalem Stabbing Attack Mourned". The Jewish Week. JTA. 16 April 2017. Retrieved 16 April 2017.
- ^ a b Hasson, Nir; Khoury, Jack (14 April 2017). "British Student Killed in Jerusalem Stabbing Attack; Assailant Mentally Unstable". Retrieved 14 April 2017 – via Haaretz.
- ^ "Palestinian awaits mental evaluation after stabbing, killing British woman". Ma'an News Agency. 16 April 2017. Retrieved 16 April 2017.
- ^ Winer, Stuart (18 April 2017). "Palestinian who stabbed British woman to death ruled fit for trial". Times of Israel. Retrieved 19 April 2017.
- ^ Marcus, Itamar (21 April 2017). "The Palestinians will pay blood money to Hannah Bladon's killer". Times of Israel. Retrieved 21 April 2017.
- ^ Craven, Nick (22 April 2017). "Terrorist accused of killing a British student will be paid £800 a month by the Palestinian government which receives £25m-a-year UK foreign aid". Daily Mail. Retrieved 23 April 2017.
- ^ Sandeman, George (15 April 2017). "2015 Abha mosque bombing". Times of London. Retrieved 16 April 2017.
- ^ http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/1.783493
- ^ Gross, Judah Ari (14 April 2017). "British woman murdered in Jerusalem attack named as Hannah Bladon, 21". Times of Israel. Retrieved 14 April 2017.
- ^ Brown, Grame (14 April 2017). "Jerusalem student stabbing: Tributes after 'inquisitive and adventurous' Hannah Bladon is killed". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 14 April 2017.
- ^ "UK student was standing near killer because she gave up her seat for woman with baby". Times of Israel. 15 April 2017. Retrieved 16 April 2017.
- ^ Walker, Peter (15 April 2015). "Hannah Bladon's family describe her killing in Jerusalem as 'senseless". The Guardian. Retrieved 16 April 2017.
- ^ Layton, Josh (15 April 2017). "Tributes to University of Birmingham student Hannah Bladon stabbed to death in Jerusalem - "This is breaking my heart" says teacher". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 19 April 2017.
- ^ Gordon, Robbie (21 April 2017). "Fund-raising page for murdered Derby County fan Hannah Bladon smashes target". Derby Telegraph. Retrieved 21 April 2017.
- ^ http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/1.783493
- ^ Beaumont, Peter (14 April 2017). "Jerusalem stabbing: British student, 20, killed close to Old City". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 15 April 2017.
- ^ Redden, Elizabeth (17 April 2017). "Britsh Student Killed in Jerusalem Stabbing". Inside Higher Ed. Retrieved 17 April 2017.
- ^ James, Aaron (17 April 2017). "Bishop's 'deep sadness' at Hannah Bladon's death". Premier Christian Radio. Retrieved 19 April 2017.
- ^ Hannah Bladon killing: Derby County to hold minute's silence, BBC, 17th April 2017
- ^ Burton Albion to honour memory of Hannah Bladon, Dave McAdam and Ugo Ehiogu with minute's silence, Burton Mail, 21st April 2017