Jerusalem mayor and bodyguard catch terrorist who stabbed Jewish victim

Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat at scene of attack. (Photo: Hillel Maeir, Tazpit News Agency)

A terrorist stabbed a Jewish man in central Jerusalem on Sunday. Mayor Nir Barkat and his bodyguard grabbed the assailant and held him down until police arrived.

An 18-year-old Arab terrorist stabbed and wounded a visibly orthodox Jewish man in central Jerusalem on Sunday afternoon.

Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat and his bodyguard, who happened to be driving nearby, spotted the assailant, grabbed him and held him down until the arrival of police, who took him in for questioning. It was confirmed that he is a resident of the Ramallah and had crossed over into Israeli-administered Jerusalem illegally.

The stabbing occurred at Safra Square, just outside City Hall and right across from the Old City.

Paramedics arrived and immediately treated the 27-year-old victim, who was wounded in the stomach, before transporting him to Shaare Zedek Medical Center.

“I was driving my car near Tzahal Square when suddenly my team saw the terrorist near us with a knife. Both I and my bodyguard immediately jumped out of my car, my guard drew his weapon and we held the terrorist until police arrived and immediately took care of the casualty who fortunately was only lightly injured,” the mayor stated.

Earlier in the day, Arab terrorists threw rocks at a light rail train, shattering a window and causing delay in services. There were no injuries. Police are searching for the perpetrators.

This was the latest in an upsurge of terror attacks in the Israeli capital in recent months.

By: Atara Beck, World Israel News

BarkatJerusalem terrorrock-throwingShaare Zedek