Security on Alert As Massacre in Hebron Has 1st Anniversary

Israeli security forces were on high alert throughout the country this week as Palestinians marked the first anniversary of the massacre at the Tomb of the Patriarchs in the West Bank town of Hebron.

Police set up random roadblocks — particularly in and around Jerusalem and Tel Aviv — on Tuesday, which, according to the Muslim calendar, is the anniversary of the massacre.

In Hebron, Palestinian youths marked the day by throwing stones at Israeli soldiers. One Palestinian was killed and four others wounded during the clashes with Israeli security forces.

Palestinians in Hebron observed a general strike to commemorate the massacre; partial strikes were observed in the West Bank towns of Ramallah and Nablus.

The Israel Defense Force sent in reinforcements to Hebron, after hundreds of Palestinian youths rioted there Monday night, pelting soldiers with rocks and setting up makeshift roadblocks.

Hebron Mayor Mustafa Natshe told reporters that he could not rule out a future massacre of Palestinians by radical armed Jewish settlers.

Some 300 Muslims filed into the Tomb of the Patriarchs at noon Tuesday for a memorial service for the 29 people, who were killed when Dr. Baruch Goldstein, a settler from nearby Kiryat Arba, opened fire on Muslim worshipers at the Mosque of Abraham, one of several prayer areas located within the tomb.

Goldstein was beaten to death by worshipers at the mosque.

Meanwhile, in Kiryat Arba, preparations were under way for a service to commemorate the anniversary of Goldstein’s death.

In the aftermath of the Hebron massacre, Israeli settlers and members of some American tours made pilgrimages to Goldstein’s grave to honor the memory of the man who is to some a hero.

“There will be a gathering at his grave,” said Kiryat Arba councilman Aharon Freidberg. “Friends and public officials will reminisce about Dr. Baruch Goldstein, may his memory be blessed.”

But another Kiryat Arab leader, Elyakim Haetzni, said Goldstein had carried out a “terrible act” in a climate of growing hatred between Arabs and Jews.

Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin lashed out Tuesday against those who honored Goldstein’s memory.

“If necessary, we will take steps in the face of utterances we hear in the Israeli media from Israelis who support the despicable act of the murderer Goldstein and who even call for a repetition of his deed,” Rabin told reporters.

“This is incitement to murder, and those in charge of the judicial system and law enforcement must deal with them.”

The planned memorial rally for Goldstein drew sharp criticism from government ministers.

Absorption Minister Yair Tsaban said the army should prevent the memorial from taking place.

He noted that had Palestinians wanted to commemorate the death of one of the suicide bombers who carried out the Jan. 22 double suicide bombing near Netanya that killed 21 Israelis, the army would have prevented it.

Environment Minister Yossi Sarid said charges should against any group or individual who expressed sympathy or support for Goldstein’s actions.