By Jonathan Benedek
Alexander Levlovitz, the Israeli who was killed in a rock attack on his car on Rosh Hashanah, was buried on Wednesday, September 16. Hundreds, including his shocked family members, attended his funeral, where he was eulogized by his children, Nir and Maya.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the stone-throwing incident, saying that the stone-throwers do not differentiate between their victims. “The stone does not distinguish between a car hit here, in which an Israeli citizen was killed, and a rock thrown within the Green Line,” said the prime minister in the Jerusalem neighborhood of Armon Hanetziv, the area where the attack took place.
Levlovitz, 64, was driving home from a Jewish New Year dinner on Sunday evening, September 13, in Armon Hanetziv, which is located south of the Old City next to some Arab neighborhoods. The victim’s car was struck by stones thrown by Arab youths, causing him to lose control of the vehicle. Levlovitz passed away shortly thereafter, having suffered wounds and an apparent heart attack.
Following a surge of violence in Jerusalem over the past few months, Prime Minister Netanyahu toured Israel’s capital Wednesday morning with Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan, Transportation and Road Safety Minister Yisrael Katz, and Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat. During the tour, Netanyahu announced that Israel was making changes in its engagement policy with rock-throwers.
“We are changing policy,” Netanyahu stated. “The present situation is unacceptable and we intend to provide soldiers and police officers with the tools necessary to act firmly against those who throw stones and firebombs.”
Included in the policy changes are methods of engagement and penalties with rock throwers. “We are also going to adopt changes in the rules of engagement and for minimum sentences on those who throw stones and firebombs,” Netanyahu explained. “In addition, we will massively increase fines for minors and their families to create deterrence there as well.”
“This stone is one too many,” Netanyahu said referring to the stones thrown at Levlovitz’s car. “We are declaring war on those who throw stones and bottles, and rioters.” (Tazpit)