The Orthodox Union on Tuesday condemned rioting which broke out at the site of a deadly Arab terror attack Sunday in the village of Huwara in Samaria. OU Executive Vice President Rabbi Moshe Hauer issued a statement Tuesday morning, opening with the question: “How can such a thing happen?” “How could it come to this, that Jewish young men should ransack and burn homes and cars?” “We can understand the profound anguish at the horrific murder of young and dear friends. We can appreciate the frustration with the ongoing attacks on Jews and the lack of a decisive and effective army response. But we cannot understand or accept this.” “Attacking a village does not deserve to be called ‘taking the law into your own hands.’ This is not the law; this is undisciplined and random fury.” “Actions like these demonstrate the critical need for clear and strong leadership. We need to speak consistently and clearly, pledging security and a decisive response to those who commit acts of terror and violence against Jews, but absolutely condemning and decrying indiscriminate violence committed by Jews against anyone, anywhere. What happened yesterday must never, ever happen again.” Two brothers, 21-year-old Hillel Yaniv and 19-year-old Yagel Yaniv, were shot and killed by a terrorist after their car was forced to stop while driving down Route 60 through Huwara Sunday. Hours later, riots broke out in Huwara, when hundreds of Jews gathered to protest at the site of the attack, and were confronted by stone-throwing villagers. Dozens of cars and a number of buildings were torched during the ensuing riots. Palestinian Authority healthy officials claimed some 380 Palestinian Arabs were injured in the riots in and around Huwara, with one man shot and killed in a neighboring village.
