Whose side are they on? Another Palestinian security service member turns criminal. Palestinian security forces. Illustrative. By Joshua Spurlock
Yet another member of the Palestinian security forces has turned criminal, as a police officer shot and wounded three soldiers near the Israeli settlement of Beit El and not far from the de facto Palestinian capital of Ramallah. The IDF Spokesperson Twitter feed said the gunman “approached IDF crossing near Ramallah & opened fire on soldiers, injuring 3.” The terrorist was eventually shot himself.
According to the Palestinian Ma’an News Agency, the terrorist—who was killed in the exchange of fire—was a 25-year-old Palestinian Police officer from the northern city of Jenin. Magen David Adom, the Israeli national Emergency Medical Service, reported on their Twitter feed that they treated and evacuated three victims—one severely and two moderately wounded.
The incident marks at least the third time in the last three months that a Palestinian security forces member was involved in violent activity. Two were arrested over the summer for illegal weapons dealing.
Israeli President Reuven Rivlin, in comments on Monday with visiting Italian President Sergio Mattarella released by Rivlin’s office, noted Israel’s challenging fight against terrorism. “This is a struggle which must be harsh, strong, and unequivocal,” said Rivlin. “At the same time, Israel like Italy believes that the fight against terror is also a moral battle for the belief in the sanctity of human life.”
(By Joshua Spurlock, www.themideastupdate.com, October 31, 2016)