An attack on Israel television’s Channel One team and attempts by Temple Mount faithfuls to penetrate the Mount enclave overshadowed the 9th of Av prayers at the Western Wall, in which hundreds of worshippers took part, and who were not deterred by the unbearable heat, arriving in multitudes.
ITV’s Channel One crew, which arrived to cover the 9th of Av prayers in the Western Wall square, was attacked by a gang of youths, apparently extreme right wing activists, who shouted at them: "Channel One - Lefties!"
Three youths were detained for questioning in Jerusalem’s Old City police station.
Channel One reporter Carmel Luzatti, who left with the television crew to broadcast the station’s morning program, said that during an interview scores of youths started gathering and surrounded the crew, preventing Luzatti from broadcasting live.
Luzatti remarked that the youths hurled stones at him and sabotaged lighting equipment and cables brought for the broadcast. Fearing a riot would erupt there, the TV crew decided to collected its equipment and return with the broadcast van. The reporter’s cellular phone disappeared during the rioting and police are investigating whether the youths stole the phone.
Following the attack on the crew today, the Likud party published a stern condemnation against the perpetrators.
Published by Israel's Business Arena August 2, 1998.