Stones can kill. And that’s why senior Israeli military officials defended an IDF commander’s right to shoot and kill a rock-throwing terrorist that endangered soldiers’ lives.
A seemingly routine IDF self-defense procedure, in which Binyamin Region Brigade Commander Col. Yisrael Shomer shot dead a Palestinian Arab who attack his car with rocks in Qalandiya, has elicited strong reactions from defense officials and politicians Friday.
Military officials affirmed to Walla! News that Shomer acted according to protocol.
“The images that come out left no doubt: this was a real danger to the unit,” a senior official said. “The brigade commander responded decisively as expected of him. It is a place full of disturbances.”
“It is important to emphasize the word ‘stone’ downplays what happened there,” he added.
Deadly rock-throwing at Jews by Palestinian Arabs. (Photo: Nati Shohat/Flash90)
Samaria Regional Council head Yossi Dagan, defended Shomer, saying that the brigade commander “operated in the manner required against an enemy who seeks to kill.”
Describing the necessity to use lethal force, and IDF spokesperson told AFP that “the forces called the suspect to halt and shot warning shots in the air. Once he continued hurling rocks at close range and in response to the imminent danger the forces fired towards the suspect.”
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Source: Israel National News