Arab motorcyclist attacks two Jews outside Old City

By DANIEL K. EISENBUD
A man with an Israeli flag covering his backpack looks at an Israeli flag made of lights installed on the wall of Jerusalem's Old City (photo credit: REUTERS)
A man with an Israeli flag covering his backpack looks at an Israeli flag made of lights installed on the wall of Jerusalem's Old City
(photo credit: REUTERS)
Police opened an investigation into a possible terrorist attack after a male 22-year-old Arab resident of Silwan riding a motorcycle Wednesday night struck and then proceeded to attack two male Jewish pedestrians on a major thoroughfare outside Jerusalem’s Old City.
According to Police Spokesman Micky Rosenfeld, the incident took place on Derech Hebron, when the unidentified suspect collided with the pedestrians, and then attacked both men with his helmet and fist.
“After he struck them, the suspect got off his motorbike and repeatedly hit them, lightly injuring one of the victims, and leaving the second man in light-to-moderate condition,” Rosenfeld said on Thursday.
“Police stationed in the area promptly stopped the assault and arrested the man, and a search uncovered a knife belonging to the assailant. We’re still investigating to determine if it was terrorist-related or a criminal incident.”
Both victims were treated at the scene by Magen David Adom paramedics, before being transferred to Hadassah University Medical Center in Ein Kerem, Rosenfeld said.
The suspect was arraigned at Jerusalem Magistrate’s Court, where a judge ordered his remand pending an investigation into the nature of the attack.
Rosenfeld said heightened security remains in effect throughout the capital, with an emphasis on the Old City.