Knesset speaker calls for demolition of Jerusalem yeshiva terrorist's home

Haaretz 22:10 10/03/2008

By Shahar Ilan, Haaretz Correspondent

Knesset Speaker Dalia Itzik on Monday asked Attorney General Menachem Mazuz to order the demolition of the mourner's tent set up by the family of the terrorist that killed 8 yeshiva boys last week, as well as the demolition of his family's home. On Thursday, Ala Abu Dhaim walked into the Mercaz Harav yeshiva in Jerusalem and began firing. Eight students were killed and nine others were wounded in the attack. The gunman was also killed. According to Itzik, who is currently serving as acting president while Shimon Peres is visiting France, she spoke to Mazuz and said "I know they won't try to stop it. It is not a legal question."

Itzik spoke while touring the Mercaz Harav yeshiva Monday evening. The head of the yeshiva Rabbi Yaakov Shapira said "we must destroy the mourner's tent. This isn't normal. In any other place they would destroy it." Itzik replied "it is not a legal question at all. We must demolish the tent and the house." Earlier Monday, Itzik spoke before the Knesset and said "We mustn't politicize the mourning." "Out national unity has been put to the test and we mustn't fail it. This is not the time for partisanship, this is not the time to fight or make accusations," she concluded her speech, in which she called for the establishment of a national unity government.