Officials: Death of Rock-Throwing Terrorist ‘Will Not Be Repeat of Azaria Trial’

An IDF source Thursday night said that the army was satisfied that the elimination of a terrorist earlier in the day was justified, after the terrorist threw a rock at a soldier. The rock, thrown at the soldier in the course of a riot near Chevron, struck the soldier in the head, injuring him. Soldiers opened fire on the rock-thrower and eliminated him.

Any comparisons to other cases of soldiers opening fire on terrorists – such as the incident in which IDF soldier Elor Azaria, who opened fire on a downed terrorist over fears that he had a knife and would use it to attack soldiers – were irrelevant, said the source. “As with all such incidents, the army will open an investigation, but there is no need to get too concerned. Inquiries like these are routine and take place on a regular basis.”

Meanwhile, police have decided to investigate a road accident that took place Wednesday as a possible terror attack. The incident involved a motorcycle ridden by an Arab in central Yerushalayim hitting an Israeli pedestrian. The pedestrian was knocked down, but was able to get up – and a fight broke out between him and the motorcycle rider, a resident of the Silwan neighborhood, about 20 years of age. The rider hit the victim and another passerby with his helmet, and rode away. The victims were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment of light injuries

In an investigation of the scene, police discovered a knife that was identified as belonging to the rider. Police are investigating the possibility that he had planned to use it to stab the Israelis, but had changed his mind at the last moment.