Horrific Crime Prompts New Definition of Terrorism

“They murdered her soul,” cry relatives of victim, as Israelis demand new Netanyahu government take action.

By Israel Today Staff | | Topics: Terrorism
Residents of central Israel decry a lack of security following a brutal rape in the town of Gedera with a possible nationalistic motive.
Residents of central Israel decry a lack of security following a brutal rape in the town of Gedera with a possible nationalistic motive. Photo: Flash90

Israel was shaken at the weekend after learning of the brutal rape of a Jewish mother in front of her children by an Arab intruder. The crime prompted calls for harsh action by the Netanyahu government and a new definition of terrorism.

Last Thursday a Bedouin Arab man from southern Israel broke into a house in the central Israel town of Gedera. There he found a 30-something woman and her young children. The intruder proceeded to tie up the woman and then raped her in front of the crying kids, all while threatening them with a knife.

Police quickly captured a suspect whose lawyer on Monday claimed he was innocent, though DNA evidence could soon conclusively place him at the scene. The father and five siblings of the suspect were also taken in for questioning, but later released.

Residents of Gedera protested on Sunday, demanding that the new government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu provide the security it promised during the election campaign.

One relative of the victim told Israeli radio that the raped woman’s “soul was murdered, her children’s souls were murdered,” stressing that even though there was no body count in this instance, the crime nevertheless constitutes an act of terrorism.

Member of Knesset Limor Son Har-Melech (Jewish Power) agreed, and announced on Sunday that she would introduce a bill doubling the sentence for nationalistically-motivated rape. In other words, an Arab who rapes a Jewish woman because she is a Jewish woman will face increased jail time.

“The shocking case of rape that took place in Gedera joins the series of horrific cases of rape committed in recent years by Arab terrorists with a clear nationalistic motive, using rape as another tool in the war on Israel,” said Son Har-Melech. “This is terrorism in all respects and should be treated as such.”

You Might Also Like
Load more
Members

Israel Today Membership

Read all member content. Access exclusive, in-depth reports from Israel! Free Zoom events. Connect with Israel right from your home! Raise a voice of truth and hope. Support Faith-based journalism in Jerusalem!

Monthly
Membership

$5
/ month
Full access to Israel Today's Member-only content on all Digital Platforms.
Become a Member

Yearly
Membership

$46
/ year
Full access to Israel Today's Member-only content on all Digital Platforms.
Save 18% Per Month.
Become a Member

Six Months
Membership

$28
every 6 months
Full access to Israel Today's Member-only content on all Digital Platforms.
Save 9% Per Month.
Become a Member
Israel Today comments guidelines Kommentar-Regeln

Leave a Reply

Israel Today Newsletter

Daily news

FREE to your inbox

Israel Heute Newsletter

Tägliche Nachrichten

KOSTENLOS in Ihrer Inbox

Subscribe to our Daily Newsletter