[Video] Palestinians stoned poor animal to death

A striped hyena, protected under Israeli law, was stoned to death by Palestinians near the Israeli settlement of Kedar in the Ma'ale Adumim area east of Jerusalem last Friday. According to reports from Israeli media, the animal was first captured in an illegal trap before being attacked with stones until its death. The striped hyena (Hyena hyaena) is legally protected in Israel, recognized as the country’s largest land predator and the only hyena species found in this region. Globally, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies it as potentially endangered. Primarily a scavenger feeding on dead animals, the hyena rarely attacks humans. The footage released by Channel 14 correspondent Hallel Biton Rosen shows the distressed animal on dry, rocky terrain. Reports indicate the hyena did not display aggression or pose a threat to people. The video sparked outrage on social media. One user wrote on X: “Palestinian terrorism. Palestinians stoned this hyena to death. It wasn't bothering anyone and wasn’t showing any aggression. It simply had the misfortune of passing by there, and they killed this endangered animal.” The post included a link to the video. Similar incidents are not new. In July 2015, Palestinian activists were filmed surrounding a hyena with cars before stoning it near Hebron. The Palestine Wildlife Society described the act as shameful and warned that hyenas in Palestine are becoming extinct, according to Gulf News. In 2014, three Palestinians from Beit Umar allegedly burned a trapped hyena, leading to their arrest, reported JFeed. Recently, wildlife shelters on the West Bank have documented several cases of hyenas caught in illegal traps, with injured animals ending up in rescue centers. Experts and local conservationists attribute the violence primarily to folklore. In Palestinian tradition, hyenas are associated with black magic, curses, and hypnosis, while parts of their bodies are used in traditional medicine. As a result, these animals are often killed out of fear rather than because they pose a danger. Palestinian legislation regarding animal protection is weak, which means such acts are rarely prosecuted. The hyena's death has reignited discussions about the treatment of wildlife in the region. Conservation groups have long expressed concerns over the decline of hyena populations due to human activities, including poaching and habitat destruction. The incident has drawn attention to the broader issue of how cultural beliefs and legal frameworks intersect in the management of wildlife. Local authorities have yet to comment officially on the incident, though environmental organizations have called for stricter enforcement of existing laws protecting endangered species. They argue that without stronger measures, similar tragedies could continue to occur. Meanwhile, the video continues to circulate online, fueling debate among users who condemn the act as senseless cruelty. Wildlife experts emphasize that hyenas play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance by cleaning up carcasses and preventing the spread of disease. Their decline could have far-reaching consequences for the ecosystem. Efforts to educate communities about the importance of preserving these animals remain ongoing, but challenges persist due to deeply ingrained perceptions and limited resources for conservation work.