Israel Matzav

IDF probe concludes 'Palestinian police' tried to murder Jewish worshipers but may not have planned in advance

An IDF probe has concluded that 'Palestinian police' purposely tried to murder Jewish worshipers outside Joseph's tomb in Shchem (Nablus) last month, although they may not have planned to do so in advance. The incident, in which Ben Yosef Livnat HY"D (may God avenge his blood) was murdered, has been classified as a terror attack.

The group illegally entered Nablus without firstly coordinating the visit with the IDF as stipulated by law. Nablus is Area A territory, under Palestinian control and therefore off limits to Israeli citizens. The four Palestinian policemen were immediately placed under arrest by the Palestinian Authority which is continuing to investigate the shooting.

Last week, the Defense Ministry official recognized Livnat as the victim of a terrorist attack enabling his family to receive compensation from the state.

The results of the IDF probe, released on Sunday, did not find evidence that the Palestinian policemen had planned the attack but did conclude that the gunfire was intentional and aimed at killing the group of Jews who had infiltrated into the area near the tomb. The PA policemen opened fire, Gantz said, without justification and when their lives were not in danger.

And you can bet that the PA policemen will soon have town squares in 'Palestine' named after them.

What could go wrong?

Labels: Ben Yosef Livnat, Joseph's tomb, Palestinian police, Palestinian terrorism

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 8:26 PM