Man Charged for Aiding Palestinian in Tel Aviv Terror Attack

Authorities on Sunday filed an indictment against Shadi Ahmed Jaber, a 36-year-old shuttle driver from the central Arab town of Tayibe, for his involvement in a deadly shooting attack carried out by a Palestinian terrorist in Tel Aviv earlier this month.

According to the indictment, Jaber provided transportation to several Palestinians who had unlawfully entered Israel on Aug. 5, including Kamel Abu Bakr, the perpetrator of the attack that resulted in the killing of Tel Aviv patrolman Chen Amir, Hy”d.

Investigations by both the IDF and the Shin Bet revealed that Abu Bakr managed to breach the security barrier near his hometown of Rummanah, located close to Jenin, on the morning of Aug. 5.

Abu Bakr had prearranged a pickup with Jaber, who then transported him from the Baqa al-Gharbiyye area, near the security fence, to Tel Aviv, for which he was paid NIS 100 ($26), as detailed in the indictment.

Jaber faces charges for knowingly assisting Palestinians residing in Israel without legal permission and for driving without a valid license, which had been revoked by a court on Jan. 1. Law enforcement officials have confiscated his vehicle, which will be seized for state purposes.

Abu Bakr, who had been wanted for a previous shooting attack against Israeli troops in the West Bank, had been in hiding within the Jenin refugee camp for at least six months prior to the incident.

Abu Bakr lacked an entry permit to Israel due to his association with the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terror group in Jenin and his past involvement in violent activities.

The terrorist spent several hours in Tel Aviv armed with a handgun and carrying a “martyrdom” letter, ultimately targeting the bustling corner of Montefiore and Nachalat Binyamin streets. There, he encountered two Tel Aviv municipal security officers who approached him for questioning. In response, Abu Bakr opened fire, wounding Amir. The second officer returned fire and managed to neutralize the attacker.