Rabbi killed by IDF fire to receive terror victim status

Defense Ministry decides to recognize Mount Hebron shooting incident as act of terror so that victim's families will be eligible for National Insurance aid

Yoav Zitun|Published: 11.11.11 , 14:29

The deadly incident that occured Friday morning at south Mount Hebron claiming the life of Rabbi Dan Martzbach and left two women wounded has been recognized by the Defense Ministry as an act of terror in order to help the grieving families – even though IDF troops were the ones who opened fire.

The incident took place on Route 60 at around 5:30 am. IDF soldiers stationed near Hebron noticed a suspicious Israeli vehicle approaching them and motioned it to stop.

Tragic Error

Israeli accidentally killed by IDF fire

Yair Altman

Tragic error results in death of Rabbi Dan Martzbach, 55. Soldiers open fire at vehicle driving towards them in suspicious manner after it fails to heed their calls to stop. Three passengers injured. Palestinian truck driving on opposite direction hits soldier

Israeli accidentally killed by IDF fire

As the driver failed to comply and suspecting he was planning to commit a terror attack by running them over, the soldiers opened fire at the vehicle. Martzbach sustained a head injury and was pronounced dead on the spot.

The IDF is still investigating the circumstances of the incident. Defense establishment officials said that this was a rare and extreme case the likes of which they have trouble recalling. They have decided to recognize it as a terrorist act so that the National Insurance would assist the bereaved families with logistical expenses and with the funeral arrangements.

The family is set to request full recognition and the Defense Ministry is expected to approve the request.

The NII explained that this was standard procedure in such cases and that by law, anyone hurt in an action meant to thwart enemy activity is considered a terror victim and recognized as such by the Defense Ministry and National Insurance Institute.