Forensics prove soldiers killed Jerusalem terrorist
Op-ed: The bullet used to kill the Jerusalem terrorist was that of an IDF soldier, putting 'the Azaria Effect' to rest.
Minutes after the attack in which four IDF officers were murdered, claims began to spread that the soldiers on the scene—many young commanders and cadets from the IDF's Officer Training School—fled and avoided contact with the terrorist.
Eitan Rond, the civilian who drew his weapon and opened fire at the terrorist, suggested that the soldiers were afraid to use their weapons as a result of the Elor Azaria verdict. "I don't understand why 40 soldiers that were there didn't shoot," he said. "I don't like to say it, but we could be less of a victim society. These soldiers have been in the army for two and a half weeks and all they tell them is 'be careful, be careful, be careful'."
Yet, in the hours following the attack, it became clear that the outcome of the Azaria trial had no basis, as evidenced by the soldiers advancing on the terrorist and opening fire. Take for example Lt. Maya Peled, who while recounting the attack, said, "I got off the bus and opened fire at the terrorist while the cadets and provided covering fire."
Nevertheless, claims of the "Azaria effect" are still rampant on social media with many claiming that the verdict has harmed the willingness of IDF soldiers to act.
However, proof refuting this claim has finally arrived.
Shortly after the body of Fadi Al-Qunbar arrived at the Abu Kabir Forenic Institute, tests proved that the bullet that killed the terrorist was a 5.56 caliber M-16 round, as opposed to a 9mm pistol round from the handgun of Eitan Rond. This proves that it was the soldiers on the scene who killed the terrorist.
According to an IDF official acquainted with the forensic tests, "We're fighting a fierce war against social media to explain what really happened. Unfortunately, we still haven't succeeded in refuting this false narrative. Not all of the soldiers opened fire at the truck. What did people want? 300 soldiers to stand there and start shooting?"
