4 Israelis, Palestinian hurt as Jerusalem bus hit by stones

Five passengers — one Palestinian and four Israelis — were lightly injured Tuesday night when the bus they were travelling in was pelted with stones as it drove through the East Jerusalem neighborhood of A-Tur.

Two private cars were also hit by stone-throwers in the predominantly Arab neighborhood.

Three Israelis aged 16 and 17, who were lightly injured by broken glass, and a Palestinian woman in her 50s were taken to Hadassah Medical Center, Ein Kerem for treatment. A fifth Israeli described as being “very lightly injured” did not require hospital treatment.

Security forces were searching the area for the perpetrators, who are believed to be Palestinian.

In July, the Knesset passed a bill that would see people who throw stones at civilian vehicles sent to prison for up to 10 years, without having to prove harmful intent in their actions. The new legislation also allows for a maximum incarceration period of 20 years if it can be proven the throwers intended to inflict harm.

Palestinians target Israeli cars on East Jerusalem or West Bank roads with stones on a near-daily basis, while clashes between Palestinians and Israeli security forces in the West Bank and East Jerusalem often include stone-throwing by protesters.