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Asharq Al-Awsat
Asharq Al-Awsat
World
Tel Aviv - Asharq Al-Awsat

Israel Questions Jordanian after Dispute with Jews

New imported cars are seen in a parking lot next to the Eilat port, Israel, June 12, 2018. REUTERS/Amir Cohen

Israeli authorities notified Jordan that they are investigating a Jordanian man who attacked Friday two Jewish port workers with a hammer, seriously wounding them in the Israeli Red Sea resort of Eilat. 

The assault was possibly motivated by racism, they said.

The suspect was handed over to the Shin Bet internal security service for further questioning.

Witnesses said the Jordanian laborer was working in the restoration of a sidewalk when two divers were summoned for maintenance. They asked him to get them their equipment but he went upset. So, he disappeared for a couple of minutes before returning with a hammer and beating them.

The two injured men were transferred to Soroka Medical Center in Be'er Sheva.

Later, a police statement said the "main line of investigation is that the motive was a terrorist attack."

No such incidents have occurred in the area in the past ten years.

Around 1,500 Jordanians cross daily to Eilat to work as part of a cross-border jobs program. Half of them work in hotels and restaurants while the other half work in other industries.

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