Israel Matzav: About those stone-throwing 'youths'

About those stone-throwing 'youths'

There's a strange perception in the West that 'stone throwing' is harmless. It's a perception that amazes me given that I can recall at least two instances in the United States in the last few years in which stone throwers were indicted for what stone throwing really is: attempted murder.

Here's a video of stone throwers in action in Jerusalem on Sunday. I'd like to show you the video and then introduce you to a stone-thrower's victim.

Let's go to the videotape (Hat Tip: Aussie Dave)



When people hear about stone throwers, they have visions of small stones. Those would be dangerous enough. But what the 'Palestinians' typically do is come close to the road side - just like they came close to the police in that video, knowing the police would not fire, and then throw from point blank range. When a car is traveling 70-80 km per hour and when they throw stones that are 6-12 inches in diameter, you are talking about a deadly danger.

I'd like to introduce you to Yehuda Chaim Shoham HY"D (may God avenge his blood).

Yehuda would be nine years old today. But a 'Palestinian' stone thrower murdered Yehuda on June 11, 2001 when he was just five months old and he was traveling in in his parents' car near Shilo in Samaria.
You can find Yehuda's full story here.

There's been a lot of 'Palestinian' stone throwing over the last several days. I haven't been reporting it because it would likely bore many of you if I started doing a post an hour during the day telling you that stones were thrown here or there (not you fellow addicts who comment all the time - the silent readers who are far more numerous). If you follow the IDF spokesperson on Twitter, you can get all the details.

As I noted on Saturday night, the current open fire rules for the IDF do not even allow soldiers to fire in the air when stones are thrown at them regardless of how endangered they feel. That goes all the more so for ordinary travelers who have weapons. Those who travel the roads of Judea and Samaria without weapons (and there are lots of people who do) are all the more exposed).

The next Yehuda Chaim Shoham is R"L (God forbid) likely to occur in the not-too-distant future. Who will live and who will die? Don't see we didn't hear the question.

Israel Matzav: About those stone-throwing 'youths'