Man attacked near Damascus Gate in Jerusalem

Ultra-Orthodox man suffers light injuries after being struck by ax-wielding youth

By Stuart Winer April 2, 2012, 9:24 am

Police at the scene of the attack (Uri Lenz/Flash90)

A Jewish man returning from morning prayers at the Western Wall was attacked by an ax-wielding youth after he passed through the Old City’s Damascus Gate in Jerusalem on Monday. The attacker is believed to be an Arab.

According to eyewitnesses, Nahum Weisfish, who is about 70 years old, managed to fight with his assailant, who then escaped, Israel Radio reported.

The victim, an ultra-Orthodox man, was taken to Hadassah Hospital in Ein Kerem with light to moderate injuries in his head, hip, and hand. The victim managed to wrench the ax away from his attacker.

Weisfish’s son told Israel Radio that his father felt a blow to his head, and turned to face his attacker. At first he thought the youth had a stick in his hand before realizing he was armed with an ax.

Weisfish managed to flee about 20 meters before the attacker caught up and hit him again.

According to his son, Weisfish had once been told that in a knife fight one should grab the opponent’s knife-hand and he succeeding in disarming his attacker. Read the rest on: The Times of Israel