The actions of police responding to the vehicular terror attack in the Bedouin community of Um el-Chiran are under investigation. Policeman Staff-Sgt. Erez Levy HY”D was killed in the attack.

Investigators now feel police fired warning shots at the vehicle prematurely, as well as firing disproportionately at the vehicle. The Justice Ministry Police Investigations Unit feels there are serious failures regarding the conduct of police.

The attack took place on 18 January 2017 as police were assigned to protect personnel involved in destroying illegal structures in the Bedouin community. During that operation, a vehicle began suspiciously heading in the direction of police. They opened fire, hitting the driver. The vehicle continued moving and struck and killed Erez Levy. The driver, Yaakoub Abu Elakin, 47, died of his wounds as well.

Investigators believe police did not have to open fire as they did at the approaching vehicle, and that the gunfire was too early. In addition, the probe determined the gunfire was “disproportionate” to the threat and failed to take into the account the position of many other police personnel in the area. Investigators feel their gunfire could have led to police injuries. They are still probing if some of the police who opened fire were fired upon. The findings of the probe are incomplete as they still await some ballistic findings. However, for the time being, it appears the actions of police were more an operational blunder than involving disciplinary or criminal misconduct.

Following the incident, there was violence in the community as Arab MKs were among those accusing police of shooting an innocent man to death.

Police who fired told investigators they felt threatened by the vehicle. They stressed on must understand there was total darkness and this is what they felt at the time, true danger. In addition, it was most difficult to identify the position of some of the force.

Investigators have not found evidence that Abu Elakin planned a vehicular attack or any evidence pointing to his intentions. However, the probe does not focus on the driver but rather on the police response.

Earlier this week, investigators announced the probe is still ongoing and it will not be submitted until such time it is complete.

Following the attack, it was reported the driver was influenced by ISIS and he was definitely trying to run over police. However today, it remains uncertain if this is true. While Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan referred to the driver as an ISIS terrorist after the incident, in statements in the Southern District this week he spoke of the “unfortunate incident”, avoiding the use of the word “terror” as the investigation continues.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)