JERUSALEM, Feb. 11 (JTA) — A fervently Orthodox Jew was stabbed to death while on his way to morning prayers in Jerusalem. Police officials said the circumstances surrounding Wednesday’s attack, which took place near Arab-populated areas, suggested that it was the work of militants. The man, in his 30s, was attacked while walking to synagogue in the Ramot Shlomo neighborhood of Shuafat Ridge. Police said there were no witnesses, but one woman who heard his cries called police, who later arrived on the scene. During the past two weeks, two yeshiva students were stabbed in the Old City. “There has definitely been an increase in hostile acts in the city area, including stoning, petrol bombs and other incidents,” Jerusalem Police Commissioner Yehuda Wilk told reporters. “We are calling on the public to be alert.” The police ruled out any connection between Wednesday morning’s stabbing death and another stabbing a few hours later in which a Palestinian man was wounded in the Jewish neighborhood of Neveh Ya’acov. Police said the Palestinian had a criminal record.
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