Two border policemen whose quick actions led to the apprehension of the attacker of a female soldier on the Jerusalem light rail earlier in the month were cited for excellence on Monday, 3 Nissan 5772 by Police Chief Yochanan Danino.

On March 15, 2012, the 24-eastern Jerusalem resident headed to school with his knife. He decided that he was not going to spend the day and headed back home. He then boarded a train and waited to make his move. As the train pulled into the Yekutiel Adam Street station, the attacker, who acted alone, selected his targeted. Police say he is not a member of any terror organization, but stated the attack was to avenge “Israel’s treatment of Palestinians”.

He stabbed the female soldier numerous times and then ran when the doors opened. He returned home and told his brother what he did. He then boarded a bus heading for Ramallah and threw the knife used in the attack out of the window as the bus made its way to the Kalandia Checkpoint. He hoped to make it to PA-controlled Ramallah, where he would hide out with relatives, but the alert border police nabbed him at the checkpoint.

The suspect was remanded, ordered held without bail by the Jerusalem Magistrate’s Court.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)