Last update - 00:00 11/11/2007
Security guard wounded by explosive at J'lem basketball game
By Jonathan Lis, Haaretz Correspondent and The Associated Press
A security guard was wounded by an explosive device on Sunday during the course of a basketball game in Jerusalem.
The televised game between Hapoel Jerusalem and Hapoel Holon in Israel's top professional league was near the end when the device, apparently a large firecracker, exploded on the sideline next to the Holon team's bench.
The blast was heard clearly on the broadcast. TV pictures showed a white cloud rising from the spot and the security guard falling over. Reports from the scene said he lost three fingers on one hand from the blast. It was not known who threw the device.
However, the police reported that the device had originated from the stands where Holon fans had been sitting.
The police launched an investigation into the incident in an attempt to apprehend the culprit. Immediately following the explosion, police officers present at the arena began combing the site. The investigation team will likely use video footage of the game, shot both by the television cameras and the fans themselves, to look for suspects. Police sources expressed hope that vigilant fans, who may have noticed the explosive immediately, would aid the police in the investigation.
The Jerusalem police are expected to investigate in the coming days how the culprit managed to smuggle the device past the arena's security, and why the security team wasn't able to locate the device and prevent the explosion.
Violence in sports has become an issue in Israel. A week ago, Israelis were scandalized when supporters of the Beitar Jerusalem soccer team booed during a minute of silence honoring the anniversary of slain Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin.
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