Israel Matzav

15-year Ariel old boy seriously wounded by explosion

As some of you may know already, tonight is the Jewish holiday of Purim. Unfortunately, on Purim, lots of Jews put money into the pockets of 'Palestinian' terrorists by purchasing illegal firecrackers from them. In fact, as I type this, dozens of them are going off outside my window, some two and a half hours after I called the police because real fireworks were being lit. Every year, this holiday takes its toll in illegal firecracker accidents and drunk drivers (a separate story all to itself).

Today, the 15-year old son of a Christian pastor was severely wounded by an exploding package in the Jewish town of Ariel in Samaria. The pastor lives in the town, from which he attempts to convert Muslims to Christianity. While it's possible that the boy was wounded by a firecracker, it seems far more likely from this story that someone left his father some Mishloach Manot, the food packages that we leave each other on Purim, and the package was booby trapped. For now, the police are treating this as a terror attack.

Judea and Samaria Police Spokesman Ch. -Supt. Dani Poleg said that the police have not ruled out the possibility that the explosion was terror related.

The youth was home alone at the time of the blast and suffered shrapnel injures to his neck. He was rushed to Petah Tikva's Beliinson Medical Center where he was listed in serious condition.

The boy's parents, David and Leah Ortiz, were informed of the incident and were on their way to the hospital.

The Ortiz family is well-known in Ariel, where they have been living for over a decade. An ordained minister, Ortiz works mainly with Palestinians living in the West Bank, encouraging them to embrace Christianity. Ortiz, said one acquaintance, has received death threats in the past from radical Muslims incensed by his missionary efforts. A number of his followers have been beaten up and jailed by Palestinian Authority officials.

Ortiz has a close relationship with Ariel Mayor Ron Nachman who has actively pursued strengthening the town's connections with overseas Christian groups. David and his wife Leah, described by a neighbor as a Jewish believer in Jesus, also lead a small congregation of a couple dozen Christians in Ariel.

It was a terror attack. Bet on it.

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 9:58 PM