Women victims in Israel targets of terror attack

Arab terrorists attacked and killed a visiting American Christian woman and badly wounded her UK-born Messianic Jewish friend in a forested area south of Jerusalem on Saturday.

Kay Wilson who survived the attack is a leading tour guide with Shoresh Tours, which operates under the auspices of the CMJ global ministry from the Christ Church complex in Jerusalem’s Old City.

Kristine Luken who died from her injuries came to Israel with a Shoresh tour three years ago. From there she became involved win CMJ’s US branch, and then went on to become adminsitrative secretary at the UK branch.

The two friends decided to take a weekend hike through a forest between the southern Jerusalem suburb of Tzur Hadassah and the nearby town of Beit Shemesh. Along the way they were approached by two young Arab men who asked for water. Wilson told Ynet that she responded in Hebrew that they did not have any extra water, but that she did not feel good about the situation.

Wilson told Luken that they needed to get out of there, but it was too late. As the two women began to walk away and look at their map, the Arab men attacked. “It all happened so fast,” said Wilson. “Suddenly they attacked us, and one pulled out a long knife, like a bread knife.”

Wilson said that as the terrorists tied her hands she was scared, but recalled that Luken became hysterical. And that’s when the stabbing began.

Christians Together member GT who has worked in Israel and is waiting to return there has reported: "These two ladies were part of the CMJ team, Kaye from Israel and Kristine (an American) from the UK. Kristine was visiting as part of the International Board meeting to discuss matters concerning the work in Israel."
GT continues: "Can I please ask you to pray for a quick recovery for Kay, for Christine’s family and all at CMJ in Jerusalem as they come to terms with these terrible events. Don Stanley is the Israel Director and will be leading the team over the coming days. Please pray especially for him."

The Israeli police have said that the assault and murder was probably a 'terror attack'.
Ms Wilson's survival has been attributed to her prescence of mind in pretending to be dead.

Read on at: Israel Today and the Jerusalem Post

Christians Together, 19/12/2010