90-Year-Old Israeli Detained for Attempted Vehicle Attack in Gush Etzion Settlement

A 90-year-old Israeli man was detained on suspicion of attempted vehicular assault in the Gush Etzion area on Friday. The incident occurred near Havat Tomer, close to Tekoa, following a verbal dispute between the suspect and a local resident. After the argument, the suspect reportedly got into his car and struck the resident lightly, who did not require medical treatment.

During the event, a local woman approached the vehicle to inquire about the suspect's actions. The driver then continued driving, dragging her several meters and causing minor injuries. Police from the Etzion station responded to reports of the incident, detained the suspect, and confiscated his vehicle. The investigation is ongoing.

The suspect had initially arrived at the farm and began filming the area before the confrontation escalated. The police classified the case as a criminal matter.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich commented on the incident via social media, attributing it to what he described as an incitement campaign by left-wing figures, including Yair Golan. Smotrich urged President Isaac Herzog to condemn internal violence and called on Golan, former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot, and former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett to retract statements about evacuating the settlements after the elections. He warned that any other response would be seen as permitting violence against settlement pioneers.