Police Officers Safe in Attempted Netanya Car Ramming

A vehicle attempted to run down police officers in the Netanya industrial zone Thursday afternoon. Police opened fire on the vehicle, which sped away. No one was injured in the incident, and police are searching for the vehicle.

According to police, the incident began when they observed several people trying to break into cars in a parking lot. It is not clear if the attempted car-ramming was related to criminal or nationalistic motivations. Police have not ruled out either.

Earlier Thursday, police arrested an Arab terrorist for rock-throwing and firebomb-throwing. The terrorist had been released previously from an Israeli prison as part of the exchange deal for Gilad Shalit. Terrorists released in that deal had promised not to take up terrorism upon their release.

Also Thursday, police arrested an Arab who was found to be carrying a knife as he attempted to board the light rail in Yerushalayim. Security officials at the Herzl Boulevard station asked to search the suspect’s belongings when he raised their suspicions. Upon discovery of the knife, they detained him and called police. Police took the 17-year-old into custody, and he will be questioned on his motivation.