The family of Mr. Avi Ben-Tzion, 63, who was struck by a vehicle in Shomron and left for dead, was informed that he was the victim of an attempted robbery and not Islamic terror as the family believes was the case.

Ben-Tzion’s body was found on the side of the road between Maale Ephraim and Migdalim, at Alon Junction, on the eve of 10 Kislev. Three residents of the PA village of Kablan were arrested in connection with the investigation.

Shai (Shomron-Yehuda) Police have completed the investigation and have concluded that the victim, who lived in the Jordan Valley, was killed in an attempted robbery and not a terror attack as the family believes to be the case.

The three PA residents in custody have admitted to their actions and have reenacted the incident that led to Ben-Tzion’s death. They planned to strike a car and while the driver was trying to understand what occurred, spray him with pepper spray and make off with the vehicle.

Police report that Ben-Tzion was sprayed in his face and they fled the scene in his vehicle as planned, leaving him on the side of the road. When they made a U turn they ran him over and killed him.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)