Death in Nablus

I have to confess that at times I am almost swayed by anti-Israel rhetoric and am tempted to think that the Israelis are hard on the Palestinians. And then I come to my senses and regain my sense of proportion. Let me explain.

How do you feel when you read this report?

Nablus, 3 AM: At over 90 miles per hour a convoy of six cars races through the dark streets of this former stronghold of terrorism. In the vehicles are a number of Muslims of the Sunni sect. Their goal: an ancient grave in the town centre.

There are very few people in the country who understand why, for nine years now, these Palestinians have been laying their lives on the line, week after week, to pray at the tomb of one of their revered sheiks. This year, during Ramadan, something went wrong. This time Israeli security forces caught the group praying at the tomb. The result was a hot pursuit that ended in a hail of bullets that killed 24-year-old Jamal bin Laden .

How do you feel? Sickened? Angry? Outraged? Do you find yourself thinking the members of the security forces who committed this atrocity should be brought to book? Are you demanding to why this was not widely reported in the international media?

That story was untrue. See if you feel as outraged by the real account.

Nablus, 3 AM: At over 90 miles per hour a convoy of six cars races through the dark streets of this former stronghold of terrorism. In the vehicles are a number of Orthodox Jews of the Breslav sect. Their goal: an ancient grave in the town centre.

There are very few people in the country who understand why, for nine years now, these Jews have been laying their lives on the line, week after week, to pray at Joseph’s Tomb. This year, during Passover week, something went wrong. This time Palestinian security forces caught the group praying at the tomb. The result was a hot pursuit that ended in a hail of bullets that killed 24-year-old Ben Yosef Livnat.