Gilad Erdan
Photo: Effi Sharir
Erdan defends police in Umm al-Hiran shooting
Addressing an incident involving police shooting of a suspected terrorist, public security min. says they have ‘a fraction of a second’ to determine whether it is terror or criminal related.
Minister of Public Security Gilad Erdan spoke out in defense of the Israel Police on Thursday morning, addressing an incident
which took place a day prior during which a man, according to police, deliberately rammed his vehicle into policemen in the Bedouin village of Umm al-Hiran, killing 34-year-old Sgt. Maj. Erez Levi.
“A policeman is forced to decide in a fraction of a second whether he is facing a terror attack or a criminal incident,” Erdan said, alluding to the fact that the suspected terrorist, Yaqoub Musa Abu Alqiyan, was shot dead in circumstances that have yet to be fully clarified.
Gilad Erdan with Police Commissioner Roni Alsheikh (Photo: Effi Sharir)
Speaking at a the inauguration ceremony of the "Elad" firefighting squadron, which is being transferred from the Air Force to police control, Erdan said: “The time has come for the State of Israel to have an internal air force with strong capabilities to defend us against challenges from within. The world is changing and with it, the threats.”
There are no more fronts and rears, Erdan averred. “Today, we have a civilian front: a firefighter who protects against arson terror (attacks) and a prison that prevents instructions from being given on the telephone from within jail to carry out attacks,” he added in reference to the ongoing investigation of MK Basel Ghattas (Joint List) over suspicions that he smuggled phones and encrypted messages to terrorists serving sentences in Israeli jails.
Ceremony of firefighting squadron (Photo: Ido Erez)
Police Commissioner Roni Alsheikh also spoke during the ceremony where he addressed Wednesday’s deadly incident.
“This is the fate of the police: Yesterday a fighter was buried, Erez Levi—may his memory be blessed—and there is one wounded, Uzi Ohana, who thank God is recovering and already by the morning we are dealing with the building of strength and commemoration.”
