Police investigating if Jerusalem crash death caused by rock attack
According to police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld, several rocks were thrown at Alexander Levlovitz vehicle at approximately 11 p.m.
By DANIEL K. EISENBUDTHE CAR Alexander Levlovitz (inset) was driving is seen after his fatal collision(photo credit: ARIK ABULOFF / JERUSALEM FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICES)
Police on Tuesday were investigating whether a car crash in the capital that killed a Jewish man and wounded his two daughters resulted from an Arab rock attack or driver error.Alexander Levlovitz, 64, likely lost control of his vehicle on Sunday after it was struck by rocks thrown by Arab youths on Asher Viner Street in the Armon Hanetziv neighborhood, adjacent to the Arab village of Sur Bahir, upon driving home from a Rosh Hashana dinner celebration, police said.According to police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld, several rocks were thrown at the vehicle at approximately 11 p.m.“As a result, the man lost control of the car and was critically injured when it struck a tree,” Rosenfeld said, adding that Levlovitz’s two daughters, both in their 20s, were lightly wounded in the collision.“Magen David Adom first responders and police quickly arrived at the scene, where the three were rushed to Hadassah University Medical Center in Ein Kerem, and unfortunately Levlovitz died of multiple wounds shortly after.”Rosenfeld said police launched a major investigation and were actively searching for the suspects.On Tuesday night, Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat issued a strongly worded statement condemning the probable attack.“The murder that took place on Rosh Hashana is further proof that stone-throwing is a terrorist attack like any other,” he said. “It is not plausible that there is no deterrence for stone-throwers who are caught, released and continue to carry out terrorist attacks.“I call on the national government to immediately implement legislation that will put stone-throwers behind bars for many years,” the mayor continued.Rock attacks have become endemic in Jerusalem neighborhoods such as A-Tur, Isawiya, Silwan and Shuafat, where Arab boys routinely target Jewish vehicles and homes with apparent immunity due to their status as minors.
“The full force of the law must be brought against those who throw stones,” Barkat said.“Harsh punishment, creating deterrents and directed operational activities are the only way to combat these terrorist attacks. I send my deepest condolences to the Levlovitz family at this difficult time.”Levlovitz will be buried in Jerusalem on Wednesday at 6 p.m.