IDF Spokesperson: Last night, the IDF received reports of a fire in the village of Duma, northeast of Ramallah. Two homes were set ablaze and as a result, a Palestinian child was killed and four additional family members were wounded. Initial reports suggest that suspects entered the village in the early hours of the morning, set the homes ablaze and sprayed graffiti in Hebrew on the homes.
IDF forces are currently operating in order to locate the perpetrators of this attack.
President Rivlin on arson terror attack in Duma
(Communicated by the President’s Spokesperson)
President Rivlin: "This is a time to join together. The law enforcement and the legal system will find the murderers, and bring them to justice. Taking the law into one’s own hands, and submitting to acts of violence, is to award a prize to the terrorists. We are faced with a determined and dangerous, ideological group, which aims to destroy the fragile bridges which we work so tirelessly to build."
President Reuven Rivlin this morning (Friday,31 July 2015), reached out to the Israeli Arab and Palestinian populations through the Arabic media, to express his disgust and deep shock at the arson terror attack which occurred this morning in Duma. Following consultations with the political and security leadership, the President called for restraint and warned against acts of violence following the attack. Later today, President Rivlin will visit the injured at the Chaim Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer.
In his message to the Arab community, the President said, "We awoke this morning to a day of sorrow. The murder of Ali Dawabsha, a baby asleep in her crib, and the serious injuries of the members of her family, her brothers, her father, and her mother who is fighting for her life, cuts at the heart of all of us. I feel a sense of shame, and moreover a sense of pain. Pain over the murder of a small baby. Pain that from my people, there are those who have chosen the path of terrorism, and have lost their humanity. Their path is not my path. Their path is not our path. Their path is not the path of the State of Israel, or of the Jewish People. To my great sorrow, until now it seems we have been lax in our treatment of the phenomena of Jewish terrorism. Perhaps we did not internalize that we are faced with a determined and dangerous, ideological group, which aims to destroy the fragile bridges which we work so tirelessly to build. I believe that the more we understand this significant danger to the State of Israel, the more we will be aware to confront it, and uproot it.
"In the face of a wave of terror against the innocent, the loss of life, and the loss of law and order, the State of Israel and Israeli society must carry some soul searching. Introspection that will find expression not just in words but in action. Israel’s leadership, across the political spectrum, must express clearly not only their condemnation of this terrorism, but their genuine commitment to confront violence and racism, recognizing our commitment to an adherence to the values of the law and of democracy, respect for the courts, and respect for our fellow man as created in God’s image.
"At these painful moments, I turn to the Arab citizens of Israel, and the Palestinian people, to all law abiding citizens, and ask that you do not succumb to the shock and anger. This is a time to join together. The law enforcement and the legal system will find the murderers, and bring them to justice. We must allow the law enforcement services to carry out the task bestowed upon them, and be aware not to be drawn into needless acts of violence. Taking the law into one’s own hands, and submitting to acts of violence is to award a prize to the terrorists. Despite the pain and the sorrow, we must continue to believe in our ability to build bridges of coexistence, or a shared existence. We must not let terror win."
Statement from PM Netanyahu in Wake of the Murder of Ali Dawabsha
(Communicated by the Prime Minister's Media Adviser)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, today (Friday, 31 July 2015), issued the following statement:
"I am shocked over this reprehensible and horrific act. This is an act of terrorism in every respect. The State of Israel takes a strong line against terrorism regardless of who the perpetrators are. I have ordered the security forces to use all means at their disposal to apprehend the murderers and bring them to justice forthwith. The Government of Israel is united in its strong opposition to such deplorable and awful acts. On behalf of the citizens of Israel, I would like to share in the sorrow of the family of Ali Dawabsha and wish a quick recovery to the family members who were injured."