A Week of Terrors

By Justine Hemmestad

A devastating terror attack took place in Jerusalem at approximately 10:15 am on September 8. Two terrorists riding in a white Mercedes minibus began indiscriminately firing at civilians who were waiting for public transportation, killing two people and injuring dozens more.

Among the six victims were well-known and respected members of the community: Rabbi Levi Yitzhak Pash, a maintenance worker at the Kol Torah yeshiva; Rabbi Yosef David, 43, a Ramot resident; Yaakov Pinto, a 25-year-old newlywed who had recently immigrated from Spain; Israel Metzner, a local Jerusalem resident; Sarah Mendelsohn, 60, the only woman among the deceased; and Rabbi Mordechai Steinzag, 79, the beloved owner of Dr. Mark Bakery in Beit Shemesh. 

In addition to the fatalities, two of those injured remain in serious condition, four others were moderately injured, and at least 24 people were treated for shock as emergency services rushed to respond. 

The attackers were identified as Mohammed Taha from the village of Qatanna and Moutana Omar from Qoubeiba, located north of Mount Adar. Both were shot and killed at the scene after a combat soldier, assisted by civilians, returned fire. 

According to police, the assailants were armed with firearms, ammunition, and a knife, all of which were recovered immediately after the attack.

Israel Police forces from the Jerusalem District, along with IDF special units, were rapidly deployed to Ramot Junction and surrounding areas. 

In addition to evacuating the wounded, police secured the scene, closed off access to prevent further risk, and launched an extensive investigation into the attackers' background and possible affiliations. IDF forces were also deployed to the Binyamin Regional Brigade in the West Bank to preempt potential follow-up threats or related incidents.

ZAKA volunteers, known for their rapid and compassionate response in times of tragedy, arrived swiftly at the scene to assist in the aftermath, supporting first responders and aiding in the respectful recovery of the victims. ZAKA, whose volunteers are often on the frontlines of Israel’s most difficult moments, helped coordinate efforts with medical teams, law enforcement, and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

Military and security analyst Yaakov Lappin later told journalist Benita Levin, “Hundreds of attacks are planned every few months. The vast majority are intercepted, but this shows the destruction terrorists intend to carry out.” 

The attack at Ramot Junction is a stark reminder of the persistent danger posed by terrorism in Israel. Monday’s assault underscores the determination of those who seek to inflict harm on innocent civilians. It also emphasizes the critical role played by Israel’s security infrastructure—including the military, police, and volunteer organizations like ZAKA—in containing threats and responding swiftly in times of crisis.

ZAKA’s volunteers, trained to operate under the most harrowing conditions, are often the first on the scene following attacks, working with deep respect for the deceased and empathy for the survivors. They provided essential logistical support but also emotional care for those affected by the shooting.

The investigation into the attack continues, with authorities focusing on whether the terrorist acted alone or as part of a wider terror network. Meanwhile, security has been heightened in key areas across Jerusalem and the West Bank, as intelligence agencies work to detect and disrupt additional threats.

The Nameless One acknowledges,  “As long as there is funding, there will be terror attacks. If people get money via Iran or the Palestinian authority - they will have economic incentive.”

And he adds, “It's not just that, clearly some do it because they are simply jihadists and want to avenge Israel.”

Yet he sees a way to thwart terror: “If Israel will take more radical steps against jihadists, including expelling terrorists’ families to Gaza and confiscating their possessions, all that could affect the motivation - but we are limiting ourselves and our actions because of international law that really is not meant to deal with jihadist terrorism.”

He believes, “We are witnessing now the transformation of the Jewish Israeli society. From a society that had a strong memory of the exile (in culture, cuisine, music, and jokes) to a more Sabra based culture of children and their parents who, for the most part, were born in Israel already. These generations have already spoken Hebrew as their mother tongue for 2 generations.” 

He adds that it’s a dramatic shift, “Because the ethos of Israel for a very long time, in my opinion for too long, was - ‘Israel is our shelter from the Goyim (non Jewish nations, not a derogatory word), and once we have a normal country the Goyim will like us.’”

  However, he knows that has failed to be true.

“The Goyim find new reasons not to like us, and we understand that this country isn't a shelter.”

The late Charlie Kirk once echoed that realization when he said, “Israel is just the size of New Jersey and it has half the world’s Jewry, about seven million people - why can't you just let Israel exist and leave it alone? Why the focus, why the intensity, why the anger?”  

Oren, an Israeli tour guide, appreciated Kirk’s support of Israel and echoed the common view of Kirk’s assassination, “This should not have happened…Charlie Kirk was a kind man, he respected the other side and he was murdered while in dialogue with the other side. I think Americans have a lot to process after this…that sense of shock is widely shared.”

He adds, “The fact that his murder resonated so widely…shows that the values he spoke about and fought for weren’t just Republican talking points. They resonated with anyone who believes in western civilization and with lovers of freedom.”

Charlie Kirk himself had said, “Why do I like Israel so much? Because Israel changed my life,” which he called a, “life-changing experience…access to holy sites is something that’s good for the world.”

The Nameless One realizes that power. He says,  “If we don't rise up to the actual purpose of Israel - we won't be able to move forward as a society and a country. We simply have to stop running from our role in the world. 

“And what is that role? 

“Essentially the role of the nation of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is to be the priests of the nations, to be the source of blessing to other nations, and their spiritual guides to monotheism.”

Yet the lies of the media must also be overcome. He says of the outlets, “I don't think too many people would have been able to survive such a massive psychological stress and relentless attack.”

The end game, he believes, indeed includes changing the perspective and narrative of Israel, inclusive of Israel’s ancient purpose.

There are several things he believes needs to be done to that end:

“We need to change our flag (he believes the emblem should include a menorah, based on Zachariah, rather than the star of David - but the change could be anything that “reflects the new phase of Israel”),

“We need to change the name of the Israeli army צה״ל (which is a thought he’s had since the first six months of the war, to reflect a clear victory), 

“We need to change our approach to war against Jihad,

“We need to change the official itinerary for dignitaries- no more Yad Vashem - but a visit to the Temple Mount, 

“We need to revise our story about what is peace with our neighbors (the agreement with Egypt and Jordan - isn’t worth much).” 

Given these actions, he believes Israel will find its sure footing for the future.