After knife attack in Jerusalem: Palestinian attacker shot dead

Another knife attack occurred in Jerusalem, injuring an Israeli. A video that apparently shows how security forces shoot the attacker who is lying on the ground causes discussion.

It was the fifth knife attack in Jerusalem since September: Video recordings by the Israeli police show a man crossing a street. Then he turns around, pulls out a knife and stabs an ultra-orthodox man several times. The attacked Israeli was injured and taken to hospital.

According to the video footage, the Palestinian bomber also attacked an Israeli border police officer. Israeli security forces fired several shots at the attacker.

Another video ensures big discussions and very different evaluations: It is supposed to show how the attacker is lying on the ground, already shot. Two border policemen approach and shoot the Palestinian again.

Palestinian President Machmud Abbas called the shooting of a supposedly defenseless man a war crime. Abbas made no mention of the man’s knife attack.

Discussion among Israeli ministers

Esawi Frej, a minister in Israel’s government, also criticized the security forces’ actions. Attackers should only be shot to save lives. This is a question of indifference to life. Another minister defended the security forces: The assassin could have worn an explosives vest, there should be no doubt.

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said the border police had his full backing.

In 2016, the Elor Azaria case caused a stir internationally. In the city of Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, a Palestinian assassin was lying on the ground without posing any threat. The Israeli soldier Azaria shot the man on the ground. He was sentenced to 18 months in prison.