Tuesday, July 28, 2026, 10:55 Approximately one week ago, an Arab resident of Jerusalem’s Old City attacked a group of Jewish youths returning from the traditional “Circling the Gates” of the Temple Mount. The attacker struck the youths, who defended themselves. At one point he raised the bicycle helmet he was wearing and tried to use it as a weapon. One of the youths grabbed him and prevented the attack.
Police officers who arrived shortly afterward detained the Jewish youth, a 16-year-old minor, but not the Arab attacker. The minor has now been held in custody for about a week, despite clear video documentation showing that he acted only to protect his friends. Honenu Attorney Daniel Shimshilashvilli is representing the detained minor.
The youth’s parents sharply criticized the police: “Time after time, officers from the Merhav David [Old City] Police Station and its investigations department choose to arrest only the Jews in violent incidents, while Arab attackers are released to their homes. This situation cannot continue. We feel they are trying to frame our son, who acted to protect his friends.”
Attorney Shimshilashvilli stated: “We are waging a determined legal struggle for the minor’s release, despite unacceptable attempts by the investigators to portray the incident differently from what actually occurred. The documentation clearly shows one of the attackers taking action that cannot be interpreted as self-defense. We will continue our efforts to secure the minor’s release and to bring the attackers to justice. I call on everyone involved to stop this shameful conduct and to carry out their duties without favoritism.”
The attack; Video courtesy of the videographer