A car damaged in a Jerusalem rock attack. Photo: Aryeh Rozan - Tazpit News Agency.

Over the past four months, the Jewish residents of the Nof Tzion neighborhood in eastern Jerusalem have been subject to repetitive stone attacks carried out by Arabs from the neighboring Jabel Mukaber. The residents say they have approached the police on the issue numerous times; but the cops have been unable to bring the situation under control. According to the residents, these attacks occur every few days, placing the lives of the members of ninety families living there in danger. In most cases, the incidents end with damage to cars or property, but last month a ten tear old girl was injured by a rock that was thrown while she played in her backyard with friends, requiring stitches to her head.

In general, residents report an uptick in terrorist activity in the Jerusalem vicinity, and the residents of Nof Tzion have noted it as well. In their case most of the attacks emanate from a new high school in Jabel Mukaber, which is situated right above Nof Tzion. Students throw stones and objects at Jewish homes and cars. A smashed car is found every few days.

When notified of the incident, residents say that the police advised them to install security cameras and to join the Civil Guard. After installation at great cost, the footage from the cameras was passed on to the police. According to the locals, the cops subsequently claimed that they could not identify anyone from the footage, insisting that they could not ensure the residents’ safety every moment of the day.

In a recent incident, a car belonging to one of the residents was hit. In protest, a few of the community’s Jewish youths blocked a nearby road prompting the police to respond. One of the residents relayed that at the time, Arabs appeared at a local kindergarten and chanted “slaughter the Jews.”

The residents tell of a general fear to walk freely in the neighborhood. They feel they have been abandoned by the police.

The police have stated that they are working continuously to catch the culprits, adding that only four incidents have been lodged over the past four months.