Terrorist Behind ‘Shocking’ Brutal Murder of Israeli Teen Arrested

Terror knife attacks are a threat too. Illustrative photo of commando knives apprehended amid shipment of plumbing materials destined for Gaza. Photo courtesy of Israel Ministry of Defense Crossing Authority

A murder of an Israeli teenage woman, described by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as being done with “shocking brutality”, was solved within hours as the Palestinian behind the attack was arrested by Israeli security forces last week. Netanyahu confirmed on Sunday that the investigation determined the incident was an act of terrorism, according to spokesperson Ofir Gendelman’s Twitter feed. That tweet said Netanyahu personally relayed the conclusions on the murder’s motive to the family of Ori Ansbacher, the 19-year-old who was killed last Thursday in a forest in Jerusalem.

Netanyahu, in separate comments released by his office on Saturday, applauded the quick action of the security forces. “I commend the [Israeli Security Agency] and Israel Police special anti-terror unit for apprehending—within a few hours—the abhorrent murderer of the late Ori Ansbacher. The long arm of Israel will reach whoever hurts us and we will settle accounts with them,” he said, while also expressing condolences and support to Ori’s family “during their terrible grief.”

The Times of Israel reported the Palestinian suspect, Arafat Irfayia of Hebron, was captured on Friday and has previously been imprisoned for security reasons. He had carried a knife with him before launching the attack and was able to reenact the murder, which took place in the Ein Yael forest on the edge of Jerusalem.

Israeli President Reuven Rivlin, in comments released by his office on Saturday evening, thanked the security forces for “capturing the despicable terrorist who murdered Ori Ansbacher.”

Said Rivlin, “We will not be deterred and we will not cease our uncompromising fight against terrorism. We will seek out the perpetrators and their associates until we find them and punish them to the fullest extent of the law, in every place and wherever they hide from us.”

Netanyahu, in initial comments released by his office after the slaying, had noted that Ansbacher was “murdered in Jerusalem last night with shocking brutality. At this difficult hour we all embrace the Ansbacher family and the Tekoa community.”

Rivlin, in his comments on Saturday, also expressed his condolences to the family of the victim. “We send our prayers of consolation to the Ansbacher family and to the whole community of Tekoa for the shining light that has been extinguished by a vile hand, and for the great void that Ori—good hearted and generous of spirit—leaves behind. May her memory be a blessing.”

(By Joshua Spurlock, www.themideastupdate.com, February 10, 2019)

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