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Photo: Gil Yochanan
The car torched by Palestinians
Photo: Gil Yochanan

Arabs riot in Jerusalem

Palestinian resident of Issawiyeh, near Jerusalem, shot and killed in police chase following car burglary in Jerusalem; killing triggers riots

A Palestinian resident of Issawiyeh, north of Jerusalem, was shot and killed in a police chase after a car burglar in the French Hill neighborhood in the city.

 

The man was named Samir Ribhi Dari, 30, married and father of two. Dari, who was shot by a policeman after Dari attempted to run him over, was taken to Hadassah Mount Scopus Hospital in Jerusalem where he died of his wounds. News of his death triggered riots around the hospital compound, as dozens of Palestinians attempted to force their way in.

 

The Police Investigation Unit has said that it plans to carry out an autopsy on Dari’s body.

 

Police units arrived at the scene and tried to restrain the Palestinians, some of whom torched a car in the hospital’s parking lot. Other cars in the parking were also damaged.

 

Police fired live bullets in the air and used stun grenades in order to disperse the Palestinians. Roadblocks were also set up on roads leading to the hospital.

 

Palestinian community leaders have met with the police representatives in order to calm the situation. Jerusalem Police Chief Ilan Franco oversaw the operation that lasted around two hours.

 


Cars torched  (Photo: Gil Yochanan)

 

“There is a big mess here. A group of Arabs and police have clashed. The Arabs from Issawiyeh claim that one of their people was shot for no reason and the police are trying to break up the demonstration,” Kobi Hasson, a student, told Ynet.

 

A roadblock was also set up outside the main exit gate at the Hebrew University campus in Mount Scopus, Hasson said.

 

How did it all start?

 

The events started when a police unit received a phone call reporting that a car had been stolen from the French Hill neighborhood and was apparently being moved to Issawiyeh. The burglar was unable to ignite the engine and managed to roll it down a hill to Issawiyeh.

 

Police officers who reach Issawiyeh were confronted by dozens of elderly Palestinians who tried to block the way in order to prevent them from arresting the burglar.

 

A group of Palestinians assissted the burglar in rolling the car into the village. As police officers tried to figure out what was happening, a car driven by Dari sped in their direction with the apparent intention of hitting a policeman, who managed to fire two shots at the car's driver. The policeman was slightly hit by the car and was taken to hospital. Dari sustained serious wounds.

 

 

Meanwhile Border and Israel Police units carried out searches in Issawiyeh and located the burglar, who was arrested and taken for interrogation.

 

Yet the Palestinians have a different account of the events, arguing that the driver did not intend to hit the police officer and simply got out of his car to help his brother, the burglar. Mahmoud Mahmoud told Ynet that “the police want a clean sheet in this incident. They wanted to take the body to Abu Kabir. According to our religion, that (autopsy) is forbidden. He needs to be taken to the cemetery.”

 


פרסום ראשון: 11.09.05, 21:12
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